Due to worker absenteeism and a global shortage of computer chips, the number of cars produced by British car factories since 1956 is the smallest since July.
According to data from the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the industry lobby group, British automakers produced 53,400 vehicles in July, a decrease of 37.6% compared to the same month in 2020.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for new cars has remained relatively strong, but due to supply chain issues, manufacturers around the world have been struggling to maintain production, especially in Computer chips delayed for monthsOr semiconductors, used to control everything from windshield wipers to electric car batteries in the car.
Some analysts expect the chip shortage will continue into next year, thus hindering the recovery of the auto industry.
Compared with the first seven months of 2020, UK production in 2021 has increased by 18%, when auto factories were closed for a long time during the first national blockade. However, its sales volume was 552,400, which is 29% lower than the 774,800 reached during the same period in 2019 before the pandemic.
No major automaker survived the disaster, and buyers were forced to wait months before they could buy some new cars. German automaker Volkswagen warned last week that it may have to further reduce production after its Japanese rivals. Toyota says it will cut production by 40% in September.
The two largest British manufacturers, Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan, were previously forced to cut production due to shortages.
During June and July, manufacturers also had to deal with the increase in employee absenteeism, as more and more employees will be caught by their NHS app when they come into contact with people who later test positive for the coronavirus.” Detection”. The rules of England, where almost all British car factories are located, Relaxed on August 16 Let vaccinated people no longer need to self-isolate after contact.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said that British automakers still face “extremely difficult conditions.”
He said: “Although the impact of the’epidemic’ will be weakened with the change in self-isolation rules, the global semiconductor shortage has almost no signs of abating.” He added that the government can help by reducing energy costs and commercial rates. The industry.
Weak production in the UK did have a knock-on effect, increasing the share of electric and hybrid vehicle sales. Combine the battery with the internal combustion engine, Reaching the highest level ever recorded. SMMT stated that 26% of vehicles made in the UK are electric or hybrid vehicles.
Some automakers tend to produce pure electric vehicles during the tight semiconductor supply to meet lower average emission requirements. Introduced in early 2020, According to an industry consultant. This may mean that any increase in the share of electric vehicles may be short-lived once the pressure is relieved.
However, independent auto analyst Matthias Schmidt stated that “profitability trumps sales” and pointed out that Daimler, the boss of Volkswagen, Renault and Mercedes-Benz, has stated that they will focus their resources on profit. On the highest internal combustion engine car. Gain profits in the face of limited supply.
