英国汽车产量持续下滑折射产业困局

Group 1 - The UK automotive industry is experiencing its most severe production downturn in decades, with May's total output plummeting 32.8% year-on-year to 49,810 vehicles, marking the lowest level since 1949, excluding the pandemic year of 2020 [1] - Cumulative production for the first five months of the year is approximately 348,200 vehicles, a 12.9% decline year-on-year, representing the lowest level for the same period since 1953 [1] - The UK automotive sector is facing a "low capacity crisis," with factories operating below capacity and increasing costs, leading to a decline in global competitiveness [1][3] Group 2 - Exports of UK cars to the US have dropped by 55.4% year-on-year, while exports to the EU market have decreased by 22.5%, prompting some manufacturers to halt exports or restructure production [1] - The recent trade agreement between the UK and the US is unlikely to fundamentally alleviate external pressures on the UK automotive industry, as it imposes a 10% additional tariff on the first 100,000 cars exported to the US, with a 25% tariff on any excess [2] - The UK government has announced a ten-year industrial development strategy aimed at supporting advanced manufacturing and clean energy, with a goal for the automotive sector to rank among the top 15 globally by 2030 and contribute approximately £50 billion (about $67.94 billion) to the economy over the next decade [2] Group 3 - Experts express skepticism regarding the effectiveness and timing of the government's industrial strategy, particularly in supporting the transition to electric vehicle production, citing high energy costs compared to the EU average [3] - Without decisive government intervention, the UK risks becoming merely a limited engineering development market rather than a true automotive manufacturing hub [3] Group 4 - Industry insiders are increasingly looking towards emerging markets, especially China, which has a rapidly growing electric vehicle sector and complete supply chain integration capabilities [4] - Attracting Chinese automotive manufacturers to invest in the UK should be a key focus of government policy, although high energy costs remain a significant barrier to investment [4]