The number of cars built in the UK over the past six months has slumped to the lowest since 1954, according to the industry’s trade body.
A total of 381,357 cars were made the six months to June, down 42% on the period last year, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The coronavirus lockdown led to widespread closures and job losses.
But the SMMT warned more jobs were at stake amid fears of a “double whammy” with the addition of Brexit tariffs.
The trade body estimated that 11,349 jobs were lost in the past six months at carmakers and companies which supply them with parts and services.
Britain’s major carmakers all suspended production earlier in the year in response to the lockdown, including Jaguar Land Rover, Honda and Nissan.
Car production fell by 48% in June compared to the same month a year ago, with 56,594 units made, as social distancing measures and weak demand across global markets continued to restrict output.
