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| Sharp fall in UK car production | Sharp fall in UK car production |
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| New car production in the UK fell dramatically in January from a year earlier, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). | New car production in the UK fell dramatically in January from a year earlier, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). |
| A total of 61,404 news cars were produced last month, 58.7% lower than January 2008, as plants closed for extended winter shutdowns. | A total of 61,404 news cars were produced last month, 58.7% lower than January 2008, as plants closed for extended winter shutdowns. |
| Car firms have been hit by falling demand amid a wider economic slowdown. | Car firms have been hit by falling demand amid a wider economic slowdown. |
| The SMMT said that the decline in vehicle output highlighted the need for more measures to help the industry. | The SMMT said that the decline in vehicle output highlighted the need for more measures to help the industry. |
| SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said that production for overseas markets, particularly Europe, had weathered the downturn better than production for the domestic market. | SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said that production for overseas markets, particularly Europe, had weathered the downturn better than production for the domestic market. |
| CUTTING BACK Aston Martin: Extended Christmas shutdown and 600 redundancies. Three-day week Bentley: Three-day week in October and longer Christmas break. Closing Crewe plant for seven weeks from March. February announced 220 job losses and 10% pay cut. GM (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 1,000 redundancies plannedMini: Christmas shutdown extended by 10 days. 300 agency staff let go and one week shutdown planned for February. From March, plant will run five days per week, from seven, and a further 850 jobs to go.Nissan: Two-week shutdown late last year and 1,200 redundancies. One shift on each line stopped until April 2009. Toyota: One of the night shifts suspended. Four non production weeks plannedFord: 850 jobs to go by May Source: SMMT/ BBC Archives | CUTTING BACK Aston Martin: Extended Christmas shutdown and 600 redundancies. Three-day week Bentley: Three-day week in October and longer Christmas break. Closing Crewe plant for seven weeks from March. February announced 220 job losses and 10% pay cut. GM (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 1,000 redundancies plannedMini: Christmas shutdown extended by 10 days. 300 agency staff let go and one week shutdown planned for February. From March, plant will run five days per week, from seven, and a further 850 jobs to go.Nissan: Two-week shutdown late last year and 1,200 redundancies. One shift on each line stopped until April 2009. Toyota: One of the night shifts suspended. Four non production weeks plannedFord: 850 jobs to go by May Source: SMMT/ BBC Archives |
| "European markets have been lifted by scrappage incentive schemes," he said. | "European markets have been lifted by scrappage incentive schemes," he said. |
| "SMMT continues its call for a UK plan to boost the new vehicle market and support employment throughout the sector," he added. | "SMMT continues its call for a UK plan to boost the new vehicle market and support employment throughout the sector," he added. |
| A total of 51,272 new cars were made for export, down 54.2% from January last year. Domestic car production fell 72.3% to 10,132 vehicles. | A total of 51,272 new cars were made for export, down 54.2% from January last year. Domestic car production fell 72.3% to 10,132 vehicles. |
| Several car firms have had to cut jobs and reduce workers' hours in response to slowing demand. | Several car firms have had to cut jobs and reduce workers' hours in response to slowing demand. |
| Ford has said up to 850 UK workers at the firm would be offered voluntary redundancy packages. | Ford has said up to 850 UK workers at the firm would be offered voluntary redundancy packages. |
| BMW has said it will cut its Mini workforce at Cowley, Oxford, by 850, while 1,200 jobs are going at Nissan's plant in Sunderland. | BMW has said it will cut its Mini workforce at Cowley, Oxford, by 850, while 1,200 jobs are going at Nissan's plant in Sunderland. |
| Aston Martin is axing 600 jobs at Gaydon in Warwickshire. | Aston Martin is axing 600 jobs at Gaydon in Warwickshire. |
| Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley and Toyota, which has just announced a pay freeze for staff, have all announced either job cuts or production reductions. | Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley and Toyota, which has just announced a pay freeze for staff, have all announced either job cuts or production reductions. |
| Workers at Vauxhall's UK plants also fear redundancies could be made following an announcement by the company's US parent General Motors that it is to axe up to 47,000 workers worldwide. | Workers at Vauxhall's UK plants also fear redundancies could be made following an announcement by the company's US parent General Motors that it is to axe up to 47,000 workers worldwide. |
| Union boss Tony Woodley, Unite's joint leader, warned on Friday that one UK car facility may have to close within days if it does not get government support. He declined to name the factory. |