According to the report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK car factories turned out 69,097 units in June. While this was a rise compared with the Covid-depressed June 2020, it still represents the worst June total since 1953 as the global chip shortage, caused by the pandemic, and other factors continued to take a toll on production.

The performance rounded off a turbulent first six months for UK car production, with the pandemic, new trading rules with Europe and supply issues causing ongoing challenges. 498,923 units rolled off production lines, down -38.4% on the five-year, first-half average representing a loss of 311,160 cars worth more than £8.5billion. This reflects how far the sector must go before it can talk about recovery.

Exports continued to sustain British car manufacturing with more than eight in ten (83.4%) models made here so far this year shipped overseas. More than half of these (51.7%) headed into the EU, with the US the UK’s next most important global market (taking 18.8% of exports) followed by China (7.8%), Japan (1.9%) and Australia (1.8%).

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "While the UK automotive industry continues to suffer the effects of the global pandemic, with first half year production down significantly and a tough few months looming, the sector has the capability to recover. The latest investments into new models and battery production show a bright future is within reach, yet the industry still faces headwinds most notably from global semiconductor shortages and staff absenteeism as a result of staff being ‘pinged’.Operating conditions are still challenging, highlighting the need for specific actions to help competitiveness, such as creating a Build Back Better Fund and the alleviation of high energy costs, to get the sector back on track and towards the volumes that make UK facilities viable".