Monday, May 20, 2013
UK automotive manufacturing (data for April)
Car output rebounds in April to lift year-to-date total.
- Car manufacturing rose 16.6% to 110,033 units in April.
- After a subdued Q1, output so far this year increased 1.5% to 503,449 units.
- Growth reflects demand in the home market, up 66.1% in April and in economies outside of Europe. Weak European demand remains a concern.
- Independent analysts suggest that UK car manufacturing could grow a third bigger by 2016 with growth expected year-on-year.
"UK car production bounced back in April, up almost 17%, following a sluggish Q1 that was impacted by an early Easter and continuing uncertainty across Europe," said Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive. "Significant growth in output for the home market reflects trends in new car buying in the UK, and the focus on growing in new markets, beyond Europe, has provided further buoyancy to volumes. While demand in Europe overall is very weak, the global appeal of our products, coupled with long-term investment strategies, position the UK on a secure path to achieve further growth and jobs in the sector."
Car manufacturing
|
Apr-12
|
Apr-13
|
% Change
|
YTD-12
|
YTD-13
|
% Change
|
Total
|
94,352
|
110,033
|
16.6%
|
495,777
|
503,449
|
1.5%
|
Home
|
13,416
|
22,278
|
66.1%
|
87,693
|
112,531
|
28.3%
|
Export
|
80,936
|
87,755
|
8.4%
|
408,084
|
390,918
|
-4.2%
|
% export
|
85.8%
|
79.8%
|
82.3%
|
77.6%
|
- Commercial vehicle (CV) output fell 3.3% in April to 8,623 units.
- While output continued to decline in April, the fall was less pronounced and output for the home market grew.
- CV output so far this year is down 15.2% and while some CV manufacturers are performing better than others, net volumes are expected to fall over the full year.
"Demand for UK-built commercial vehicles continued to fall in April, with output dropping 3.3%. There is growth at some UK plants which helped to ease the rate of decline compared to previous months this year," said Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive. "2013 is proving to be a difficult year for our CV manufacturers as they experience weak demand from export markets, particularly Europe. Rising output for the home market is encouraging, demonstrating that UK operators are keen to exploit the diverse variety of CVs made in the UK from light vans to double-decker buses and large trucks."
CV manufacturing
|
Apr-12
|
Apr-13
|
% Change
|
YTD-12
|
YTD-13
|
% Change
|
Total
|
8,913
|
8,623
|
-3.3%
|
38,284
|
32,477
|
-15.2%
|
Home
|
3,131
|
3,897
|
24.5%
|
15,177
|
16,563
|
9.1%
|
Export
|
5,782
|
4,726
|
-18.3%
|
23,107
|
15,914
|
-31.1%
|
% export
|
64.9%
|
54.8%
|
60.4%
|
49.0%
|
- UK engine output rose 9.9% in April to 211,452 units.
- Earlier shortfalls ensure engine production during the year-to-date fell 2.1% at 871,707 units.
- Volumes for the home market rose, in line with registration trends. Export volumes have fallen so far this year, however, did rise modestly in April.
Engine manufacturing
|
Apr-12
|
Apr-13
|
% Change
|
YTD-12
|
YTD-13
|
% Change
|
Total
|
192,408
|
211,452
|
9.9%
|
890,154
|
871,707
|
-2.1%
|
Home
|
66,271
|
83,837
|
26.5%
|
314,023
|
338,119
|
7.7%
|
Export
|
126,137
|
127,615
|
1.2%
|
576,131
|
533,588
|
-7.4%
|
% export
|
65.6%
|
60.4%
|
64.7%
|
61.2%
|
DATED: 20.05.13
FEED: HA
