The combination of Brexit and Covid 19 means that the motor manufacturing industry has had to deal with a steady stream of challenges over the past few years. However, there is finally a reason for optimism in the sector with the very welcome news from the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders (SMMT), that UK car production was up 13.1% year-on-year in February.
This news can be seen to be even more encouraging in the context of February traditionally being a slow month in car production ahead of the introduction of new number plates in March.
An increase in exports
Of the 69,707 cars made in Britain last month, 81.2% are destined to be exported abroad. 60% of those going to overseas markets are headed to the European Union, with the rest making the longer journey to Japan, Australia and Turkey. This will make up for a reduction in the number of cars being exported to the US and China.
An easing of supply chain issues
As the world recovered from the effects of the pandemic, the global motoring manufacturing industry was held back by the semiconductor shortage which began in early 2021. However, in its report, the SMMT highlighted the fact that these highly damaging supply chain issues are now easing, with chief executive Mike Hawes commenting, “February’s growth in UK car production signposts an industry on the road to recovery.”
He also cited a skilled workforce, excellence in engineering and progress in the move to electric vehicles as significant in contributing to the encouraging figures.
A rise in the production of EVs
The production of hybrid and electric vehicles increased 72.2% in February, meaning that two in every five cars made in the UK last month was a more sustainable alternative to diesel or petrol.
With the SMMT also predicting that nearly 500,000 new electric and hybrid cars will hit UK roads this year as a result of seven consecutive months of growth, it seems that real progress is being made in this vital area.
This is encouraging news for an industry that is now striving to meet the government’s new ‘electric vehicle mandate’ stating that 22% of cars must be electric by 2024, 28% by 2025 and 80% by 2030 before reaching 100% in 2025.
Intelligent and sustainable NVH for today’s motor industry
As suppliers of noise, vibration and harshness solutions for the car manufacturing industry, we at Interflex are pleased and encouraged by these long-awaited reasons for optimism in our industry. In particular, as designers and manufactures of sustainable thermal and acoustic products, such as our new material Ocean, we are pleased to hear about the much-needed inroads being made in the area of moving UK drivers to electric vehicles in line with the ambitious new government targets.
To find out more about Interflex’s sustainable, lightweight and cost-effective NVH solutions for the motor industry and beyond, please call us on 01949 861 494 or email us at sales@interflex2000.com.