The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 717,371 cars and 47,344 commercial vehicles left factories, down 8% and 62% respectively. Over the year, car production for the UK market and exports both fell by around 8%. Production of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid cars increased by 8.3% to just under 300,000, a record 41.7% share of output. Total car production is predicted to return to growth this year, with output set to rise by more than 10%, according to the report. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “2025 was the toughest year in a generation for UK vehicle manufacturing.