UK car manufacturing production fell sharply last month as the industry's factories prepared for the launch of all-new electric models.
Production output in September fell 20.6%, with manufacturing for domestic and overseas markets both down a similar amount, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) revealed in its monthly update.
Factories have been winding down current models and retooling production lines for zero-emission vehicles, the industry body said.
Just over 21,300 electrified models, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid and other hybrid models, were made in September, which represented less than a third of cars produced in the country and was down 37% compared to the same month last year.
So far this year, car output for UK buyers has risen 6.5% compared to this time in 2023, but overseas shipments have fallen 14.4%, meaning overall UK production has dropped 10.2%.
"Growth is expected to return once new models come on stream, with car and light van production forecast to head back above one million units in 2027 and with the potential to surpass 1.3 million by 2030," the SMMT said.
A new analysis from the SMMT, released no doubt to coincide with the Budget next week, shows the auto industry remains UK’s largest exporter of manufactured products, with shipments of cars, vans and components worth almost £47 billion.