UK vehicle production fell by 15% in 2025 as the industry dealt with the toughest year in a generation for manufacturing, according to latest data. New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 717,371 cars and 47,344 commercial vehicles rolled off production lines, 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. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: ‘2025 was the toughest year in a generation for UK vehicle manufacturing.