Car production in the United Kingdom climbed by 6.1% year-on-year to 39,328 units in August 2026, marking the strongest growth since December 2025 and rebounding from a 10.6% fall in July. Total vehicle production rose 5.7% to 40,872 units, as domestic demand picked up, while August is typically a low-output and volatile month due to scheduled plant shutdowns. Car exports to Australia, Japan and the US recorded the biggest gains among the top 10 markets, but shipments to the European Union fell 7.4% and those to China dropped 15%. The EU remained the UK’s largest overseas market, accounting for 54.1% of car exports. The SMMT said investments of more than £1 billion from McLaren, Nissan and Bentley support the sector’s long-term prospects. However, it warned that the EU’s proposed “Made in Europe” provisions pose an existential threat to UK production, given the deep integration between British and EU auto industries.