Motor Trader The award-winning and longest running UK magazine for car retailing professionals. Your first stop for News, Jobs and Reports for the motor industry.
UK vehicle production hit 1,025,474 units in 2023, the first time they have exceeded one million since 2019 before the pandemic.
With 905,117 cars and 120,357 commercial vehicles (CVs) produced, output was up 17% on the previous year, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The easing of pandemic-related challenges, from chip shortages to lockdowns, and increasing electrified model production, combined to drive annual output above one million for the first time since 2019.
Strong December performances for both car manufacturing, up 20.7% year on year, and CV volumes, up 80.3%, rounded off a positive year, which saw a revival of the industry’s fortunes.
Eight new models entered production in 2023, including at the newly reopened Ellesmere Port EV-only plant,.
According to the SMMT some £23.7bn was invested in plant, including manufacturing plants, gigafactories and R& D facilities.
Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO, said: “Receding supply chain challenges, new model introductions and a massive £23.7bn of investment put UK vehicle production firmly back on track in 2023.
“Industry will now focus on the delivery of these commitments, transitioning the sector at pace to electric and scaling up the supply chain.”