Supply shortages hit car production

Car production fell 4.9 in May but overall in the year to date is ahead 4.6 per cent, according to figures released by the SMMT.

CV production was down 5 per cent in May and 5.5 per cent in the first five months of the year.

The position for engine production was positive, up 4 per cent in May and 5.6 per cent in the year to date.

Following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the SMMTearlier this year  had forecast a decline in production in Britain because of supply shortages.

“Despite the difficulties caused by supply shortages from Japan, UK automotive production dropped by just 4.9 per cent in May,” said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. 

“Recent announcements demonstrate the commitment being made by global vehicle manufacturers to the UK motor industry. These will secure future production and jobs, as well as opening up new opportunities for the UK-based supply chain.”

Production highlights of 2011

 2 February 2011 – McLaren Automotive – McLaren MP4-12C goes into production at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. 

2 March 2011 – Jaguar Land Rover – Supply contracts worth £2bn for Range Rover Evoque awarded to over 40 UK-based companies.

24 March 2011 – Opel/ Vauxhall – Confirmed Luton as the manufacturing site for the next generation Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro light commercial vehicle, which will enter into production in 2013.

28 March 2011 – Tata Motors – Announced engineering and technology expansion plans at its Tata Motors’ European Technical Centre (TMETC) in Warwickshire – facilities at the centre are expected to increase by 40% by 2013.

11 April 2011 – Aston Martin – Announced new city car, the Cygnet, will be produced at its Gaydon facility in Warwickshire, creating approximately 150 new jobs and more within the UK’s supply chain. The Cygnet is the eleventh major new production car that Aston Martin has bought to the UK facility since it was founded in 2004.

13 April 2011 – MG Motor – Announced new MG6 GT sports fastback will be designed, engineered and finally assembled at its UK-based production facility in Longbridge, Birmingham; 400 jobs safeguarded. Further announcement expected that a second model, the MG6 Magnette four-door Sports Saloon will also be designed, engineered and finally assembled in the UK. 

29 April 2011 – Jaguar Land Rover– £490 million investment in its Solihul manufacturing plant to build C-X75 all-hybrid supercar; 4,500 jobs created; 85% UK-sourced parts.

5 May 2011 – Optare – Unveiled its new manufacturing facility in Elmet, Yorkshire, with the capability to manufacture approximately 1,200 buses annually. 400 jobs safeguarded and the facility will be the first new bus assembly plant to open in the UK in almost 40 years.

6 June 2011 – Aston Martin – Four-door Rapide sports car will enter into production at its facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire, from the second half of 2012.

7 June 2011 – Toyota – The world’s first large scale solar panel installation for mass vehicle production at its Derbyshire plant. The panels will generate sufficient electricity to manufacture 7,000 cars and save 2,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. The panels will be used in the manufacturing of the Auris hybrid, Auris and Avensis models at the UK plant.

8 June 2011 – Nissan – £192 million investment to design, engineer and build the new Qashqai in the UK; 6,000 jobs safeguarded and 43% UK sourced parts. Additionally, £420 million confirmed investment in Sunderland plant for the production of the Nissan LEAF from 2013 and for a new stand-alone facility to produce lithium-ion batteries for Renault and Nissan vehicles from 2012.

9 June 2011 – BMW Group – £500 million investment in new facilities and equipment at Oxford assembly plant, engine plant in Hams Hall, near Birmingham and pressings plant in Swindon. UK confirmed as a production location for its next generation MINI models and more than 5,000 jobs safeguarded.  Launches of MINI Coupé in 2011 and MINI Roadster in 2012 and both will be built in the UK.