Car production falls back in May

Year-on-year volumes fell by 2.9 per cent during the month to 128,483 units – a decline of over 9,000 cars. According to the latest SMMT figures, year-to-date figures are now down 5.1 per cent at 626,777 units.

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said that despite the decline he was confident production would rally to produce a like-for like performance this year compared to 2006. “Overall, UK car production figures continue to reflect the loss of Peugeot, with over 9,000 units missing compared to May last year,” said Macgowan. “However, we remain optimistic that production in 2007 will hit, at the very least, the same volume as last year.”