The SMMT reports that UK engine production declined 10.6% in July to 176,377 units, while demand from home and international markets fell 16.6% and 6.5% respectively.
Year to date output was down 35.2% with 537,712 units lost in first seven months, the organization said.
‘July’s engine production figures, while an improvement on recent months, highlight that this sector’s future is far from secure,’ said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. ‘As the sector tries to ramp up production while also grappling with heavy losses and global economic uncertainty, it simply cannot afford the further blow of tariffs at the end of the year if a deal with the EU cannot be struck. Even in a pandemic, exports sustain UK engine production so an ambitious Free Trade Agreement that allows this valuable trade to recover and prosper is critical.’
This story uses material from the SMMT, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.