UK car manufacturing hit its lowest November output since 1980, as the industry tackles the shift to zero emissions and increasing costs, as per data released on Friday by SMMT- the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Reuters noted.
Factory lines produced 64,216 units in November, which translates to a drop of 30.1% from the previous year.
In spite of the global auto sector’s shift towards electrification, the production of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric cars fell 45.5% to 19,165 units in November, representing almost a third of total output, Reuters noted.
SMMT also reiterated for the government to review the ‘ZEV mandate’ regulation, which could see carmakers face nearly 6 billion pounds($7.55 billion) in discounts and compliance costs.
The ZEV or zero emission vehicle mandate, is a government policy tool that requires car manufacturers to sell a certain percentage of electric vehicles each year.