UK car production experienced a dramatic drop in May, with a year-on-year decrease of 32.8% to just 49,810 units. This represents the lowest level recorded for the same period since 1949. Moreover, cumulative production over the first five months of the year fell by 12.9% year-on-year, marking the lowest tally for this period since 1953. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the decline in production is primarily attributed to factors such as heightened trade barriers, prolonged model transition processes, and consistently high energy costs.