7:27 am, October 24, 2013
UK car manufacturing is continuing its upward trend according to the SMMT’s latest figures.
A strong September drove 2013 UK car production to 1,125,433 units, up 3.9 per cent on 2012. 140,888 cars were built in the month, 9.9 per cent ahead of 2012.
Meanwhile rolling 12-month output hit 1.5m for first time since October 2008, and exports rose 9.3 per cent in the month.
‘Boosted by strong domestic demand, September’s 9.9 per cent rise in car manufacturing reinforces how the sector is one of the UK’s biggest success stories of recent years,’ said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
‘This year alone, more than £2.6bn has been committed across the UK automotive sector, from the supply chain to global car manufacturing brands. This long-term financial commitment and robust demand for UK-built products demonstrate the global appetite for high-quality, desirable products borne of the UK’s world-class design, R&D and engineering.’
However, the picture is quite different with commercial vehicles. CV output continued its downward trend dropping 27.5 per cent in September to 6,963 units.
Some 67,609 CVs have been built so far this year, down 17.9 per cent from 2012, with weak Eurozone demand being blamed.
‘CV production remained subdued in September, with continuing uncertainty in the EU and restructuring of UK operations,’ added Hawes. ‘While the overall market is striving against tough conditions, there remains cause for optimism in some areas, with the truck sector out-performing the market in September.’
