The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed a 15.8% drop in UK car and commercial vehicle production in April 2025.

For the month, 59,203 units were manufactured, marking the lowest April output since 1952, barring the exceptional circumstances in 2020 during the first Covid lockdown.

Car production in the UK experienced an 8.6% decline, totalling 56,534 units, influenced by the later timing of Easter, model changeovers, and reduced demand from key export markets.

The commercial vehicle sector registered a decline of 68.6% to 2,669 units, primarily due to a plant closure and a return to normal demand levels for new heavy goods vehicles after a period of intense post-pandemic growth.

Exports of cars saw a 10.1% drop, with the EU and US markets showing declines of 19.1% and 2.7%, respectively.

Despite these drops, the EU remained the largest export destination, receiving more than half of all UK car exports, while the US accounted for 16.5%.

In contrast, exports to China and Turkey increased by 44% and 31.2%, the report said.

Commercial vehicle exports plummeted by 75.8%, with just over half of the production being sent abroad.

Despite a 78.9% reduction in shipments, the EU continued to be the primary export market, accounting for 84.9% of the total.

Domestic commercial vehicle output also saw a downturn, falling by 54.6%.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “With automotive manufacturing experiencing its toughest start to the year since 2009, urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness.

“Government has recognised automotive manufacturing’s critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month.

“To take advantage of these trading opportunities, we must secure additional investment, which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonisation will flow across the UK.”

The industry is now awaiting the government’s industrial strategy, which is expected to include measures to enhance the competitiveness of the UK’s most valuable export sector, the body said.

Last week, the SMMT reported a 49.8% surge in public service vehicle registrations in the UK in Q1 2025, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of growth.