UK Car Production Rebounds in May, Driven by Surge in US Exports

UK car production rose by 2.7% year-on-year in May, ending a four-month consecutive decline. Total output for the month reached 51,178 vehicles, including 49,249 passenger cars—an increase of 3.2%—while commercial vehicle production fell by 7.6% to 1,929 units. The growth was primarily driven by a sharp 83.1% surge in exports to the United States, although exports to the EU and China declined by 5.2% and 14.3%, respectively. Despite the monthly rebound, total UK car production for the first five months of the year still fell by 8.7% year-on-year to 317,779 vehicles. Industry representatives noted that high energy costs, trade-related risks, and weak demand for electric vehicles continue to weigh on the sector’s competitiveness.