A locked down April 2020 UK resulted in an “exceptional rise” for April 2021 UK engine production, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
UK factories made 129,691 engines last month, up on just 1,147 in April 2020.
Year to date 2021 output was down 22.9% on the five year average for the month.
None the less, year to date output rose 10.4% year on year to 665,195 units, driven by increased production for the domestic market, but was still down on the five-year average.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “April engine production was always going to be up, as last year factory operations ceased amidst the height of the first lockdown. The sector, however, is a long way off a full recovery and engine output levels remain significantly lower than before the pandemic. It is now imperative that a strategy is implemented to support UK engine manufacturing competitiveness, including measures to help companies transition to producing next generation powertrains.”