The number of cars rolling off British production lines fell by almost a third in November to the lowest level for the month since 1980, amid industry upheaval and weak consumer demand.
A total of 64,216 units were manufactured in the month, down 27,711 on November 2023, in the ninth consecutive month of decline, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Of those, just under a third (19,165) were battery electric or hybrid vehicles, representing a 45.5 per cent fall year-on-year.
Overall it was the worst performance for the month since November 1980, when 62,728 units were produced: a time of industrial strife when Ford ruled the roost with the Escort Mk3, Sierra and Cortina among the top-selling models.
The SMMT, the