UK car manufacturing has been dealt another blow , as the Society of Motor ##ists and Traders ( SMMT ) revealed overall production in January dropped 18.2 % , the eighth consecutive monthly drop . Production of cars destined for Europe fell by more than one - fifth , including a 72 % drop in output for Britain and a 20 % drop for Europe . SMMT CEO Mike Hawes acknowledged falling demand in key markets – notably China – and global trade tensions , but said the " clear and present danger " remained Brexit .
UK car manufacturing has been dealt another blow, as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed overall production in January dropped 18.2%, the eighth consecutive monthly fall. Production of cars destined for export fell by more than one-fifth, including a 72% drop in output for China and a 20% decline for Europe. SMMT CEO Mike Hawes cited falling demand in key markets – notably China – and global trade tensions, but said the "clear and present danger" remained Brexit.