Automotive News – Late March 2026

UK vehicle production fell -17.2% in February, with 68,061 units leaving factories, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Output comprised 65,885 cars (down -10.7%) and 2,176 commercial vehicles (-74.0%) as export demand in markets outside Europe remained weak, model changeovers impacted output and CV volumes continued to be affected by a major plant restructuring.

Exports of cars and CVs were down -11.5% and -65.1%, to 53,140 and 1,306 units respectively, though production for overseas buyers still accounted for the majority (80.0%) of total vehicle output. The EU remained the largest global market for UK plants, taking 63.6% of car exports and 88.9% of CV shipments, and while car exports to the EU rose 5.3%, demand in the US, China and Japan fell, by -34.3%, -66.4% and -6.8% respectively.

Sourced from SMMT

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Crewe-based luxury car manufacturer, Bentley Motors, has warned that up to 275 jobs could be axed as part of a widespread shake-up.  Bentley currently employs around 4,000 staff at its Cheshire plant.

News emerged today (March 17) as the group reported a seventh consecutive year of profitability, albeit vastly reduced from the previous year, which Bentley said demonstrates a resilient underlying performance amid a challenging global market environment.

This is still while continuing to self-fund significant capital investment at its historic Pyms Lane site in preparation for electrification, it said.

Sourced from TheBusinessDesk

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Half a year on from the devastating cyber-attack that struck Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in September, the car maker will reportedly be shutting down its plant in Solihull for close to a fortnight.

In a fresh setback to its operations, the Coventry-headquartered manufacturer will pause production at the Solihull site due to disruption caused by fire at a Norwegian supplier, according to the Financial Times.

JLR has told suppliers that it will pause production at the plant until 8 April, which includes five days for a pre-arranged shutdown over Easter weekend.

Sourced from TheBusinessDesk

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Around 90 jobs have been lost after Shaftec Automotive Components entered administration and ceased trading.

Anthony Collier and Richard Goodall of FRP Advisory were appointed as joint administrators to the Birmingham-based company.

The business, which manufactured drive, steering and braking components for passenger cars, had been facing sustained financial pressure amid difficult trading conditions in the automotive components sector, including rising costs and increased competition from lower-cost imports. Sourced from TheBusinessDesk