Vehicle Product in U.K. Slows Again

New-vehicle output by the U.K., which plunged 18% in April, sagged 10% year on year to 136,100 units in May, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Production through the first five months of 2017 dipped 1% to 729,900 units. May exports fell 9% to 109,600 units. Output destined for the domestic market shrank 13% to 26,500 vehicles.

U.K. new-car production set records in the first quarter. SMMT attributes the April-May slump to manufacturers retooling for new models.

The British auto industry has been expanding toward an annual production target of 2 million units by 2020. But analysts caution that the country’s decision to exit the EU has left foreign brands skittish about the future competitiveness of their production facilities in the U.K. Most of the 80% of English vehicle exports goes to Europe.