UK engine production declined 9.3% year on year in February to 214,155 motors.
Production for domestic car plants rose 14% to 90,251 while exports fell 21% to 123,904.
Go deeper with GlobalData
More than 450,000 engines built in Britain in first two months, with 58.4% exported.
Year to date output fell 5.4% to 452,348.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "The UK is a global leader in engine manufacturing, thanks to its highly skilled workforce producing cutting-edge technology that is in demand the world over. However, with plants around the world now on coronavirus led shutdown, the outlook is extremely uncertain.
The UK government's extraordinary package of emergency support for businesses and workers is very welcome but, if we are to maintain the sector's competitiveness for the long term, these measures, including access to finance, must be made available immediately and to companies of all sizes."
