(Alliance News) – The UK’s total vehicle output improved in May amid stronger export demand and weaker domestic demand, an industry body reported Thursday.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders said total vehicle production in the UK rose 2.7% to 51,178 units in May from 49,810 units during the same month a year earlier.

The total number of vehicles manufactured for export markets grew 5.2% to 40,288 units from 38,312 units, while the total number of vehicles produced for the domestic market fell 5.3% to 10,890 units from 11,498 units.

The proportion of vehicles manufactured for the export market has risen to 78.7% of the total, up from 76.9% previously.

The report also revealed that total car manufacturing rose 3.2% to 49,249 units from 47,723 units, while commercial vehicle manufacturing declined 7.6% to 1,929 units from 2,087 units.

SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “May’s growth is welcome, and the priority must be to turn this into a sustained recovery by making the UK more competitive as a place to make and sell vehicles.

“That means reducing industrial costs, maintaining free and open trade with the EU, and ensuring the ZEV mandate reflects market reality. Manufacturers are investing billions in zero emission technology, but weak underlying demand and the growing cost of compliance are putting competitiveness, jobs and future investment at risk.”

Among the various export markets for UK made cars, the US was the best performer with shipments up 83% at 7,733 units, which the SMMT said was the result of the US-UK trade deal that came into effect in June.

Meanwhile, exports to the EU fell 5.2% to 20,057 units as exports to China dropped 14% to 2,794 units.

Total vehicle production year-to-date through May declined 8.7% to 317,779 units from 348,226 units over the same period in 2025.

By Elijah Dale, Alliance News senior reporter Asia-Pacific

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