UK vehicle production rose 2.7% in May to 51,178 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Car output grew 3.2% to 49,249 units, reversing four months of decline, while commercial vehicle (CV) volumes fell 7.6% to 1,929 units
The stronger overall performance was driven by overseas orders, which recovered following a 30.3% decline in May last year when US tariff uncertainty pushed volumes to the lowest level since Covid-hit 2020. Car exports rose 3.9% to 38,897 units, while CV shipments increased 61.0% to 1,391 units, delivering an overall 5.2% outbound trade boost. Car production for the UK market was broadly stable, up 0.7% to 10,352 units, while CV output for UK buyers fell 56.0% to 538 units.
Among the top car export markets, the US was the strongest performer, with shipments up 83.1% to 7,733 units, reflecting the US-UK trade deal that came into force in June 2025. Exports to the EU fell 5.2% to 20,057 units, while those to China were down 14.3% to 2,794 units. In the first five months of the year, UK car output is 4.1% down on last year, at 319,000 units.