London - Saba:
Official data revealed a sharp decline in car production across all types in the UK during April, marking the sector's largest annual drop since 1952 at 15.8%.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported on Thursday that total production in April reached 59,200 vehicles, including both passenger and commercial cars, representing a 25% decrease compared to March's output.
This downturn significantly impacted exports, with passenger car exports falling by 10.1%, while commercial vehicle exports plummeted by 75.8%. In April, 44,300 units were exported, while 14,800 units were directed to the domestic market.
The data also showed a decline in exports to the UK's largest car markets, the US and the EU, with British exports to the US dropping by 19.1% and to the EU by 2.7%.
In contrast, exports to China rose by 44% and to Turkey by 32.2%, though these increases remain significantly lower compared to exports to the American and European markets.
The report attributed the decline in exports to the US to the tariffs imposed on car imports, which were initially set at 27% before being reduced to 10% following a special agreement between the two countries.
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