U.K. Vehicle Production Plunges 17%

The U.K. built 127,100 vehicles in September, down 17% from the same period in 2017, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports.

Output for export fell 16% to 101,600 cars. Production for domestic consumption plunged 19% to 25,400 units.

The trade group blames the downturn primarily on continuing uncertainty about the trade implications of the U.K.’s exit from the European Union in April. The industry needs stability and “free and frictionless trade” with the EU, says CEO Mike Hawes.

The British auto industry’s output through the first 10 months of 2018 totaled 1.17 million units compared with 1.25 million in January-September last year. Production for the domestic market is down 19% compared with a 3% decline for exported vehicles.