British car manufacturing has come to a screeching halt in April, down 99.7% against the same month in 2019.
It was smallest output since the WWII, as stated by the industry body, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Only 197 premium and luxury sports vehicles rolled off factory lines, and 45 of them sent to customers of UK.
Instead, some plants refocused to produce 711,495 items of PPE for doctors.
The loss of 400,000 cars that might normally are made is predicted to cost car industry in UK up to £12.5bn in revenues.
In April there have been 830 new car engines manufactured at factories in Britain, 781 of which were exported. This level was down 99.5% on the year before.
Mr Hawes said building up the industry again would be a “gradual process”. Half of the UK’s engine and car makers are expected to go back to work this week.
Production timeline are going to be staggered with strict social distancing measures in situ. The SMMT has suggested to car manufacturers that workers of the factory should be supplied with PPE.
Car manufacturers also are expected to figure with fixed teams and with partnering to limit the amount of individuals who interact on a daily basis.
Prior to most of the production in Britain halted, only luxury brands such as McLaren, Bentley and Rolls Royce produced few cars.
It takes a few month to assemble a high end luxury sports car.
Though production of vehicle lines had halted, the finishing touches were still being executed to 197 luxury cars that were sent to customers.
With normal factory work on hold, the industry redirected its ability towards manufacturing PPE for healthcare workers.
Face shields, visors and medical gowns were pieced together in car factories. Rolls Royce and McLaren were among the businesses which helped to produce medical equipment like ventilators.
Although the car industry is progressing with plans to resume production slowly, unions say a severely weakened industry needs urgent government help.
