Car production across the UK has been battered over the last month following the cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover, with experts warning that further misery could be around the corner.
New data has revealed that UK car production dropped by 27.1 per cent in September, with just over 51,000 new units leaving manufacturing lines.
This was significantly impacted by Britain’s largest automotive employer – Jaguar Land Rover – and the cyber attack it suffered at the end of August.
While JLR has recovered from the cyber attack and started its phased restart of operations, a recent report warned that it could have cost the UK economy around £2billion.
Overall car production for the UK fell by 34.1 per cent to 12,269, while export units dropped 24.5 per cent.
In total, 38,821 cars were made for global markets, with most of these vehicles heading to the European Union, the United States, Turkey, Japan and South Korea.
However, the UK’s net zero aims continue to flourish, with almost half of all cars made in September being electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid.
Volumes of cleaner vehicles were up 14.7 per cent to 24,445 units, with manufacturers working towards targets included in the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
READ MORE: Jaguar Land Rover hack cost £1.9bn in ‘most economically damaging cyber event to hit UK’
Car production plummeted in September after the Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack
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REUTERS
This requires automakers to have a minimum percentage of sales come from electric vehicles. There is a 28 per cent target for the end of the year, while 80 per cent of sales will be electric by the end of the decade.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said results from September were “no surprise” given the major cyber attack on JLR.
He added: “While the situation has improved, the sector remains under immense pressure.
“The Industrial Strategy, launched by the Prime Minister, Business Secretary and Chancellor only in June, sought to align Government policies towards growth and restore UK vehicle output to 1.3 million units per annum.”
The UK has seen further difficulties in the commercial vehicle sector, as data shows a sixth consecutive month of decline.
Commercial vehicle production in September dropped by 77.9 per cent to just 3,229 units.
The SMMT suggested that this was down to the “consolidation of operations” by a major manufacturer.
Combined car and van production declined overall by 35.9 per cent last month to 54,319 units, as experts call for action to support the industry.
Philipp Sayler von Amende, Chief Commercial Officer at Carwow, said the car industry is constantly in flux, but said September’s results were “nonetheless concerning”.
The expert highlighted how September is typically one of the most successful months for manufacturers as drivers flood to dealerships to get new vehicles with the latest number plate.
Mr Sayler von Amende added: “While the Government’s Electric Car Grant has encouraged more drivers to consider electric vehicles, the UK car industry is already battling multiple headwinds: from cyber-attack-related factory closures, to the prospect of new micro-chip supply chain constraints from China.
“We saw during the last supply chain crisis in 2022 that manufacturers prioritised the production of electric vehicles, to help them meet tough emissions targets.”