Car production has continued to increase but the industry鈥檚 recovery from the pandemic is being hit by a global shortage of supplies such as semiconductors, new research shows.
Almost 55,000 cars left 海角视频 factories in May, compared to just 5,314 in the same month a year ago, but still down by over 50% on May 2019.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said so far this year 海角视频 factories have built 429,826 cars, up 105,063 on 2020, but overall output remains down by 22.9% on the same five-month period in 2019.
Alternatively fuelled vehicles now account for more than one in five cars built this year, with one in 16 being battery electric.
The SMMT said the figures showed the scale of the challenge facing the industry as it seeks to recover from the pandemic while grappling with global supply shortages, notably of semiconductors.
Manufacturing of electrified vehicles is increasing while car production generally continues to be export-led, with 83.6% of all cars built in 2021 shipped overseas.
The European Union remains the most important destination for British cars, taking 56% of all exports, followed by the US (18.3%) and China (7.3%).
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: 鈥淢ay鈥檚 figures continue to look inflated when compared to last year鈥檚 near total standstill of production lines.
鈥淭he recovery of car production is, however, still massively challenged here and abroad by global supply shortages, particularly semiconductors.
鈥淚f the 海角视频 is to remain competitive, therefore, it must ensure it has a globally attractive policy framework for both vehicle production and the supply chain.
鈥淎ccelerating zero emission car production is part of this package, so while one in five models made here this year is alternatively fuelled, we need to drive investment in research and development, charging infrastructure and the market to ensure we can deliver the net zero future society demands.鈥
A Business Department spokesman said: 鈥淲e are committed to ensuring the 海角视频 continues to be one of the best locations in the world for automotive manufacturing and we鈥檙e doing all we can to protect and create jobs.
鈥淲e are securing a competitive future for the sector through a major investment programme of up to 拢1 billion to support the electrification of the auto supply chain, including the development of gigafactories in the 海角视频.鈥
