UK vehicle manufacturing dropped -30.9% in October, with 62,116 cars and vans built, according to new SMMT figures.
Car production declined -23.8% to 59,010 units as the UK’s largest plant continued its phased restart following a cyber incident. Commercial vehicle output fell -74.9% to 3,106 units, reflecting earlier consolidation by a major manufacturer.
Despite the downturn, electrified vehicles remained a bright spot: 46.2% of all cars built last month were BEV, PHEV or HEV — a 10.4% rise year-on-year.
Exports, which make up more than three quarters of UK output, slipped -27.1%, with EU, US and Japan declining but China and Türkiye increasing.
The update follows Budget measures including £1.5bn for automotive transformation, a £1.3bn top-up to the Electric Car Grant, and VED changes that reduce how many EVs fall into the expensive car band. However, the SMMT warns the new pay-per-mile EV tax (eVED) risks suppressing demand at a critical moment.
Year-to-date production is down -17%, but forecasts suggest a recovery to 828,000 units in 2026, with potential to reach 1m by 2030 if policy stability holds.
SMMT chief Mike Hawes said the new EV tax is “the wrong measure at the wrong time” and could undermine the UK’s investment appeal.
