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| UK car production drops sharply | UK car production drops sharply |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The number of new cars produced in the UK in December 2008 fell dramatically, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). | The number of new cars produced in the UK in December 2008 fell dramatically, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). |
| December production was 47.5% lower than in the same period in 2007, as plants were shut-down over Christmas. | December production was 47.5% lower than in the same period in 2007, as plants were shut-down over Christmas. |
| But for the whole 2008, production was down only 5.7%, as earlier in the year it was quite strong. | But for the whole 2008, production was down only 5.7%, as earlier in the year it was quite strong. |
| Earlier in January, SMMT said the number of new cars actually sold in the UK in 2008 fell by 11.3% from 2007. | Earlier in January, SMMT said the number of new cars actually sold in the UK in 2008 fell by 11.3% from 2007. |
| CUTTING BACK Aston Martin: Extended Christmas shutdown and 600 redundanciesBentley: Worked a three-day week in October and longer Christmas breakGM (Vauxhall): Extended Christmas closure and 40-day shutdownHonda: Four-month shutdown between February and MayJaguar Land Rover: Series of one-day shutdowns and production cuts late 2008 plus 450 redundancies plannedMini: Christmas shutdown extended by 10 days. 300 agency staff let go and one week shutdown planned for February and two weeks in AugustNissan: Two-week shutdown late last year and 1,200 redundancies Toyota: One of the night shifts suspended Source: SMMT EU ministers discuss car aid | CUTTING BACK Aston Martin: Extended Christmas shutdown and 600 redundanciesBentley: Worked a three-day week in October and longer Christmas breakGM (Vauxhall): Extended Christmas closure and 40-day shutdownHonda: Four-month shutdown between February and MayJaguar Land Rover: Series of one-day shutdowns and production cuts late 2008 plus 450 redundancies plannedMini: Christmas shutdown extended by 10 days. 300 agency staff let go and one week shutdown planned for February and two weeks in AugustNissan: Two-week shutdown late last year and 1,200 redundancies Toyota: One of the night shifts suspended Source: SMMT EU ministers discuss car aid |
| "UK vehicle production figures for 2008 demonstrate both the strength of the sector and the very dramatic fall in demand in the last quarter," SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said in a statement. | "UK vehicle production figures for 2008 demonstrate both the strength of the sector and the very dramatic fall in demand in the last quarter," SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said in a statement. |
| "UK facilities are globally competitive with high productivity levels and hugely attractive model line-ups." | "UK facilities are globally competitive with high productivity levels and hugely attractive model line-ups." |
| Britain exports three-quarters of the cars it manufactures. | Britain exports three-quarters of the cars it manufactures. |
| Last week, Honda announced it planned to extend its halt in production at its plant in Swindon for two months, on top of its already-announced shut-down during February and March. | Last week, Honda announced it planned to extend its halt in production at its plant in Swindon for two months, on top of its already-announced shut-down during February and March. |
| The carmaker had announced in November the plant would be shut during February and March. | The carmaker had announced in November the plant would be shut during February and March. |
| The global car industry has been going through a difficult period because of a collapse in global sales. | The global car industry has been going through a difficult period because of a collapse in global sales. |
| There are no guarantees that all the main European carmakers will survive the economic downturn, according to the EU's Industry Commissioner. | There are no guarantees that all the main European carmakers will survive the economic downturn, according to the EU's Industry Commissioner. |
| "SMMT has been in close discussion with UK government on the urgent need to improve access to credit and kick-start demand in the market, in order to sustain valuable industrial capability during this exceptionally difficult period," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. | "SMMT has been in close discussion with UK government on the urgent need to improve access to credit and kick-start demand in the market, in order to sustain valuable industrial capability during this exceptionally difficult period," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. |