Production

Car production in July hits lowest level since 1956

By Michael J. Moody 3 weeks ago
Stock image of UK car production

Stock image of UK car production

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.

UK car production graphic

UK car production graphic

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

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UK car production in July at lowest level since 1956 amid ‘pingdemic’ and chip shortage

By Michael J. Moody 3 weeks ago
Potential customer walks around Charles Hurst Usedirect used car dealership on Boucher Road in Belfast as restrictions in Northern Ireland ease allowing new and used cars sales.

In July production for the UK market declined -38.7% to 8,233 while manufacturing for export also fell, down -37.4% with 45,205 cars shipped overseas. Photo: PA

UK car manufacturing declined to the lowest level since 1956 in July, down 37.6% due to global chip shortages and the ‘pingdemic’ slowing down production.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said some manufacturers had changed their summer shutdown timings to manage the rout. 

In July production for the UK market declined -38.7% to 8,233 while manufacturing for export also fell — down -37.4% with 45,205 cars shipped overseas. 

“These figures lay bare the extremely tough conditions UK car manufacturers continue to face,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO.

Chart: SMMT

Chart: SMMT

Exports accounted for more than eight out of 10 (84.6%) vehicles built in the month as buyers around the world continued to be attracted to the wide range of high-quality cars made

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EV startups hunt for low-cost roads to mass production

By Michael J. Moody 1 month ago

Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.

BICESTER, England – Electric car and van startups racing to become the next Tesla Inc all want to avoid Elon Musk’s journey through “manufacturing hell.”

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But electric vehicle firms such as UK van company Arrival SA and Fisker Inc are taking very different roads to overcome the challenges of profitable mass production that almost broke Tesla.

A few have found investors willing to hand over billions to fund their journey. Rivian has raised around $10.5 billion from Amazon.com Inc, Ford Motor Co and others as it ramps up production to build electric vans, pickups and SUVs.

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Startups lacking Rivian’s wads of cash need cheaper paths to mass production or risk failing in the EV arms race – a danger Musk highlighted repeatedly on Tesla’s July 26 earnings call.

“The thing that’s remarkable

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Europe to boost battery production as electric shift accelerates

By Michael J. Moody 2 months ago



a crane truck in a field: Europe has domestic sources of lithium, notably in the Czech Republic and Germany, but it will also probably have to depend on imports


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Europe has domestic sources of lithium, notably in the Czech Republic and Germany, but it will also probably have to depend on imports

As electric car sales take off and petrol engines face being phased out by 2035, Europe is looking to develop its own battery production base.

Far from being autonomous, Europe needs to accelerate domestic battery output as a national security issue as well as a boost for businesses and jobs.

Batteries that power electric cars and which weigh up to 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds), represent a considerable part of the vehicle’s value.

At the moment, they are mostly produced in Asia, with China, South Korea and Japan the leading manufacturers.

With a mid-July announcement that it intends to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, the European Commission has set a timetable for the bloc’s shift to electric cars.



a close up of a car: Batteries have become the key component of tomorrow's vehicles


© OLI

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