That’s according to the latest figures, released yesterday (23 November) by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Production for the domestic market bucked the recent trend, growing by 31% last month, but export demand dropped by 44%.
However, the SMMT cautions against reading too much into month-by-month comparisons due to fluctuating fleet buying cycles.
More significant, says Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, is the overall downward trend – year-to-date production has fallen by 13% – which he attributes to declining business confidence.
“While it is pleasing to see domestic production rise in October, naturally erratic buying cycles can have a big impact month on month,” says Hawes.
“While exports have also fallen in recent months, they still account for almost two thirds of production, and clarity on post-Brexit trading arrangements is needed quickly to restore buyer confidence on both sides of the Channel.”