LONDON — British automobile producers had their slowest November in 37 years because the sector struggled to deal with the influence of the coronavirus pandemic on world provide chains, business information confirmed.

Automobile manufacturing fell by 29 % in contrast with November 2021 to 75,756 models, regardless of a 53 % enhance in electrical automobile output, the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT) mentioned on Thursday.

It was the fifth consecutive month of decline and represented the worst November efficiency since 1984.

Among the fall was because of the everlasting closure of a Honda’s automobile manufacturing unit in July however SMMT Chief Government Mike Hawes mentioned the figures had been “extremely worrying” and underscored the severity of the business’s scenario.

It the primary 11 months of 2021, British automobile manufacturing of slightly below 800,000 models was down by 433,000 in contrast with 2019, earlier than the pandemic hit.

“COVID is impacting provide chains massively, inflicting world shortages – particularly of semiconductors, which is prone to have an effect on the sector all through subsequent 12 months,” Hawes mentioned.

The dangers of a brand new financial slowdown attributable to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and rising inflation represented the hardest enterprise setting in many years, Hawes mentioned.

“We’ve to look to authorities to offer assist measures in the identical manner it’s recognizing different COVID-impacted sectors,” he mentioned.

Britain introduced on Tuesday 1 billion kilos of additional assist for hospitality and leisure companies which have been hit hardest by Omicron.

Hawes mentioned Britain’s automotive business was as nicely ready because it might be for the implementation of full post-Brexit customs controls at UK borders from Jan. 1 however any delays would put additional stress on just-in-time operations.

“Ought to any issues come up, contingency measures have to be applied instantly to maintain cross border commerce flowing easily,” he mentioned.