UK car production falls 17% as industry warns of ‘worrying’ decline

Nissan’s factory in Sunderland has the capacity to make 600,000 vehicles a year but output is well below that level due to weaker demand. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Fewer cars rolled off UK production lines in February in what the industry called an “extremely worrying” slump even before the impact of the Iran war was felt.

Vehicle production was 17% lower last month on the same period in 2025, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, as exports dropped sharply.