Car production in the United Kingdom increased sharply in May, data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed Thursday.
Overall car production surged 42.2 percent year-on-year to 141,146 units in May, marking the highest output for the month of May since 2004.
Production for the export market grew 45.5 percent annually, while production meant for the domestic market advanced 25.8 percent during the month.
Output of commercial vehicles, meanwhile, decreased 7.4 percent annually to 9,445 units during the month. Manufacturers registered a 13.4 percent growth in the production of engines in May, the agency said.
In the January-May period, car production advanced 17.3 percent from the same period a year earlier, data showed.
"Car manufacturing in May hit the highest level of output since 2004 posting 42.2% growth, a sizable recovery against volumes hampered by last year's Japanese tsunami," SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said. "This boost, coupled with robust year-to-date results demonstrates the strength of UK automotive manufacturing and shows why it continues to attract high levels of international investment."
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Economic News
What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.