The downward trend in production is similar in other countries, said Prof Peter Wells, director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University.
“There are concerns in Germany, Italy, France and Japan,” he told the BBC.
“So I would emphasise that there is this bigger picture going on, and it’s not purely a UK phenomenon.”
However, some of the global pressures may be stronger in the UK, Prof Wells said, such as fewer trade barriers against Chinese imports compared to the EU and US.
The UK government’s change in policy over encouraging more manufacturing of EVs had also made planning more difficult for carmakers, he added.
In April, the UK announced plans to relax sales targets for EVs and reduce fines for cars that do not meet certain emissions standards.
In recent years, the UK has seen producers such as Honda and Ford shut down plants.
Last year, Stellantis – which makes Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot cars – warned it may have to halt UK production due to uncertainty over the government’s approach to EVs.
“What industry always wants is stability and clarity in policy, whether it’s tariffs or electrification or any other issue,” said Prof Wells.
“For me at least, it remains a volatile environment in that sense.”
