UK car production falls 17% as industry warns of ‘worrying’ decline

Weak demand and global trade pressures hit ouput, with energy price rises expected to bring further drop

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Fewer cars rolled off UK production lines in February in what the industry called an “extremely worrying” slump even before the impact of the Iran war was felt.

Vehicle production was 17% lower last month on the same period in 2025, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, as exports dropped sharply.