FOLLOWING its best half-year since 2008, the UK car manufacturing industry experienced a sharp dose of reality in July with production falling more than 11%.<\/p>\n
The total number of cars produced for the domestic market fell by almost a quarter (24%) compared with the same month last year.<\/p>\n
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the latest figures should be set against changes to holiday patterns as some manufacturers brought forward their annual shutdowns.<\/p>\n
However, while this may be true, shutdowns and holidays were also experienced in July last year and the output figures were much higher.<\/p>\n
The performance lends credence to the views of many analysts that the new car markets will slowly start to stabilise in the second half, suggesting that the days of spectacular growth may be coming to an end.<\/p>\n
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