UK Automotive Industry Post-Brexit: EV Shift & Future Outlook 2026
UK automotive manufacturers boast a rich legacy of innovation that positions them for an EV-driven resurgence — despite recent production dips. Duke Control Systems is enabling efficient automation at plants committed to UK manufacturing.
Pioneering Roots (1890s–1950s)
The UK motor industry ignited in Coventry around 1895, spawning the world's first serial production at Daimler Motor Company. Post-WWII export quotas propelled Britain to 52% global car share by 1950, with 750k units from Morris, Austin and Standard-Triumph — before Japanese imports eroded that dominance.
Mergers, Decline and Foreign Lifelines (1960s–2000s)
BMC's 1968 merger into British Leyland faltered on strikes and dated designs. Foreign OEMs revitalised UK manufacturing: Nissan's 1986 Sunderland plant (now Europe's top car factory at 500k/year), Toyota's Burnaston facility and BMW's revival of Mini at Cowley. JLR's 2008 Tata buyout secured Solihull for Range Rover EVs.
2026 Resurgence: EV Investments Secure UK Future
2024 saw 779k cars built — down 15% due to Brexit tariffs, chip shortages and ICE phaseout — but gigafactory investments signal a rebound. Nissan's £1B Sunderland battery plant and JLR's £15B EV roadmap target 1.3M annual output by 2035. Toyota is pioneering solid-state batteries at Derby. Policy boosts include the Modern Industrial Strategy, unlocking £2.5B for electrification.
Brexit and the UK Automotive Industry
Rules-of-origin requirements mean car makers must source more value from the UK or EU to avoid tariffs — especially challenging during the EV transition. Additional customs checks have lengthened lead times and increased logistics costs, making just-in-time manufacturing harder to maintain.
Plants that can automate, cut waste and localise supply chains are best placed to keep production in the UK. Automation is not optional — it's a competitive necessity.
Duke's Role in UK Automotive Resilience
Duke Control Systems contributes to UK automotive manufacturing through electrical design, installation, panel manufacture, robot programming and PLC commissioning. We have worked across Body in White (BIW), Trim & Final, Body Stores (ASRS), paint shops and conveyor systems. Learn more about our automotive capabilities or get in touch to discuss your project.
About the Author
Duke Control Systems Engineering Team
Our engineering team has 50+ years of combined experience delivering industrial automation projects across automotive, FMCG, logistics and life sciences manufacturing.