Vehicle output dips -1.2% in April to 58,513 units with exports up 0.8%.
Car production broadly stable, down just -0.7%, while commercial vehicle volumes fall -10.9%.
More than quarter of a million vehicles produced in first four months, down -10.7% year on year.
Sector calls for EU-UK Summit to safeguard free and fair trade with largest market.

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UK vehicle production fell -1.2% in April to 58,513 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Car output was broadly stable for a second consecutive month,¹ down just -0.7% to 56,135 units, while commercial vehicle (CV) output fell -10.9% to 2,378 units – its smallest decline for 13 months as the effect on numbers of the closure of one of the UK’s biggest van plants ceases. The overall performance still, however, reflects wider model changeovers and challenges in some key global markets.

Total vehicle manufacturing

Car manufacturing

CV manufacturing

Total Vehicles	Apr-25	Apr-26	% Change	YTDLY	YTD	% Change
Production	59,203	58,513	-1.2%	298,416	266,601	-10.7%
Home	14,877	13,835	-7.0%	73,893	64,097	-13.3%
Export	44,326	44,678	0.8%	224,523	202,504	-9.8%
% export	74.9%	76.4%		75.2%	76.0%

Car manufacturing	Apr-25	Apr-26	% Change	YTD-25	YTD-26	% Change
Total	56,534	56,135	-0.7%	271,770	257,024	-5.4%
Home	13,562	12,700	-6.4%	60,085	59,741	-0.6%
Export	42,972	43,435	1.1%	211,685	197,283	-6.8%
% export	76.0%	77.4%		77.9%	76.8%

SMMT

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