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 . Last year, was a tough one for the car industry in China, the world's biggest car market. 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 ##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 .