Vehicle Output Falls Again in U.K.

Car production in the U.K. dropped 13% to 89,300 units in August, marking the third consecutive month of year-on-year shrinkage, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports.

SMMT notes that production for the domestic market plunged 39% to 16,300 vehicles, compared with a 4% decline to 73,000 units for export.

The group notes that year-on-year production fluctuates during the summer because of the timing of factory maintenance and new-model changeovers.

This year’s output also has been disrupted by the industry’s switch to Europe’s new WLTP (world harmonized light vehicle test procedure) emission certification protocol. Carmakers have been prohibited from making vehicles after Aug. 31 that don’t meet the new standard.