Europe and International Trade

Key Exports Data

  • Countries all over the world import UK produced vehicles
  • 81% of all vehicles made in Britain are exported
  • 1,303,135 cars were manufactured for export in 2019
  • The EU accounted for 54.8% of UK-built vehicle exports – making it our biggest trading partner
  • 1,582,350 engines were manufactured for export in 2019, 62.8% of all engines made in Britain

SMMT car exports 2015_without text

Top 10 Export Destinations 

  • EU 54.8%
  • US 18.9%
  • China 5.3%
  • Japan 3.2%
  • Canada 2.2%
  • Australia 1.9%
  • Israel 1.2%
  • Ukraine 1.2%
  • South Korea 1.2%
  • Russia 1.0%

In a single day in UK Automotive

Every day, more than 1,100 trucks1 for UK car plants cross into the UK from the continent – the vast majority without being checked at customs – to deliver some £35 million worth of components2 to UK vehicle and engine plants. And every day, these components help build 6,400 cars and 10,500 engines3 – the bulk of which are then shipped back to EU customers and assembly plants.

A day in UK Automotive exports car and engine manufacturing

1. Based on survey of eight UK vehicle and engine brands
2. £34,810,384 – based on HMRC trade statistics and five day working week
3. 6,427 and 10,470 respectively – in 2016, 1,671,166 cars and 2,722,325 engines were produced in the UK; calculation based on five day working week