Car production in July hits lowest level since 1956
UK car production fell sharply last month, marking the worst July performance for the industry since 1956, a trade group has said.
The global microchip shortage, staff being affected by the so-called pingdemic, and shutdowns meant just 53,438 cars were built in the month.
That was a drop of 37.6% compared to July last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
It comes as sales of second-hand vehicles are soaring.
Overall car production in the year to date is almost a fifth higher than during 2020 at 552,361 vehicles, but that is still 28.7% down on 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
SMMT boss Mike Hawes said the July figures “lay bare the extremely tough conditions UK car manufacturers continue to face”.
“While the impact of the ‘pingdemic’ will lessen as self-isolation rules change, the worldwide shortage of semiconductors