Almost entire vehicle UK engine product ceases in April as virus halts manufacturing

By Nicky Godding

29 May 2020

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UK engine production declines 99.5 per cent in April, as Coronavirus lockdown halted almost all manufacturing, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

Just 830 engines were produced in April, down from 178,022. Production for domestic and overseas markets were down 99.9% and 99.4% respectively, although a small number have been produced at month end ahead of some automotive plants restarting in May.

UK car manufacturing April 2 Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “The nationwide lockdown and closure of vehicle manufacturing plants across Europe and beyond has had an expected but devastating effect on engine production, with output all but wiped out in April. With markets and key factories starting to reopen, it’s crucial to encourage demand for new cars worldwide, which will in turn drive manufacturing and help reboot the UK economy.”

Across this region, Jaguar Land Rover began manufacturing Range Rovers again under new social distancing measures. The first one drove off the production line at Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing plant in Solihull on May 20, following the recent temporary pause in production due to coronavirus.

Measures at the car manufacturer include temperature checks with thermal cameras, a two-metre distance between people wherever possible, Personal Protective Equipment where that is not the case, the introduction of one-way systems and enhanced cleaning at the plants. In addition, Jaguar Land Rover is offering every employee a reusable face visor made by the company.

Aston Martin Lagonda began a phased return to work on May 7 for a number of its manufacturing staff.
Working closely with the trade unions, Aston Martin Lagonda has developed detailed return-to-work protocols to be followed by employees returning to their jobs at the brand’s manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales.

Production workers at the company’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire will follow at a later date, as will office and support staff at Aston Martin Lagonda’s various other UK sites.

The manufacturing of MINIs at the BMW MINI car plant in Oxford is resuming as part of a staggered approach to boosting its global production..

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.