Alarming decline in vehicle output amid tariffs anxiety

PRODUCTION of cars and commercial vehicles declined by an alarming 11.6% in February, figures show.

- Matt Kenyon

Just 82,178 were produced a drop of 10,787 from the same period last year in the 12th consecutive month of falls, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

There was a particular decline in manufacturing for the home market, with a 22.3% plunge in vehicles manufactured to be sold in the UK - down to 18,401.

The data comes at a tense moment for the global automotive industry, the morning after US president Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on all imports into the US.