UK automotive productivity up 208% since 1999

SMMT’s 20^th annual Sustainability Report discloses the environmental, economic, and social gains achieved by UK automotive businesses over the past two decades, highlighting the substantial improvements in areas such as energy and water use, waste to landfill and CO₂ emissions.

Over the past 20 years, automotive manufacturing has grown to become one of the UK’s most important economic assets, turning over £82bn in 2018 – an uplift of 70% since the first Sustainability Report was published in 1999.

At the same time, workers have experienced a significant wage boost, with average automotive wages rising by 85% over the period compared with 61% across wider manufacturing.

Automotive manufacturing workers are now some of the UK’s better earners, with an average salary of £41,800 – 40% higher than the national average.

Meanwhile, productivity has increased considerably, with automotive output per job growing by 208% from £32,000 to £100,900.

The value of exports has also grown significantly, with 81.5% of cars produced in 2018 destined for international markets compared with 63.9% in 1999.

However, this remarkable progress has not been at the expense of environmental performance. The UK automotive sector is now one of the most efficient in Europe, outperforming the EU average for energy, CO₂ and water.

Thanks to strict efficiency targets and continuous improvement and refinement of manufacturing processes, the sector has significantly reduced its environmental impact.

Alongside advances in production processes, industry has continued to invest heavily in developing the latest low-emission technology to address air quality and environmental concerns.

Efforts to deliver ever more efficient cars have resulted in average new car CO₂ falling 31.2% since 1999, while Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions have been cut by 84% since the turn of the millennium and exhaust particulate matter virtually eliminated.

These substantial advancements have been driven by massive investment in new models and plants.

Brexit, however, remains the biggest threat to the future competitiveness of UK Automotive. The country’s future relationship with the EU must deliver frictionless trade, assure our competitiveness and create a supportive business environment ready for investment, according to SMMT.

This is vital for not only future economic growth, but to further improve the sector’s sustainable development.

SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, comments: “Sustainability lies at the heart of the UK automotive sector, and manufacturers are committed to balancing profitability and output with social and environmental responsibilities.

“Industry has invested heavily in ever safer, more efficient technology, but in processes and measures that have significantly reduced its environmental impact. We are on the cusp of a transport revolution and this sector has the potential to be one of the world’s leading forces driving the change.”