Car production down 3.3% in first half of year

Car production fell by 3.3 per cent in the first half of 2018 compared with the same period last year, new figures show.

A total of 834,402 cars were built in UK factories between January and June, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

Domestic demand was down by 12.9 per cent, while exports fell by 0.8 per cent.

Despite a 3.6 per cent in decline from the European Union, it remained the UK’S biggest trading partner.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes claimed the data highlights the importance of continuing “frictionless trade” after Brexit.