According to the latest SMMT report, commercial vehicle production significantly declined in August 2025.
The Latest Data
According to SMMT, commercial vehicle production declined by 73.2%, with 1,621 units, mainly due to the consolidation of manufacturing operations at a major manufacturer. Combined UK vehicle production was, therefore, down by 18.2% in August to a total of 38,693 units, the weakest performance since 1956, illustrating the current challenging environment facing UK automotive manufacturers, with soft conditions in the sector’s largest market, the EU, significant cost pressures, model transitions and slow economic growth.
The recent publication of SMMT’s latest Trade Report, Unmarked Routes: Britain’s Pathway to Stronger Automotive Trade, shows that, despite an onslaught of challenges, the UK sector remains a global trading powerhouse on course to generate more than £110 billion in trade for the third year running, supporting 796,000 jobs and turning over £92 billion.
British manufacturers produce not only cars, vans, taxis, trucks, buses and coaches, but also specialist and off-highway vehicles, supported by more than 2,500 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers, and invest around £5 billion each year in R&D. With notable footprints in the West Midlands, North East and North West, the sector supports thousands of jobs in adjacent industries – including advertising, chemicals, finance, logistics and steel.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive at SMMT, said: “August is always a low volume month due to planned summer maintenance, but the focus is now on September’s performance, and the likely impact of the cyberattack at Britain’s biggest automotive employer. Given this incident and the industry’s importance to jobs, growth and trade, rapid delivery of the Industrial Strategy and Drive35 is now critical. The sector is resilient, but SMMT is engaged with members and the government to understand what additional supportive measures may be needed.”
