9:44 am, February 23, 2017
UK CAR manufacturing had a successful start to 2017, with output in January up 7.5 per cent compared with the same month last year, according to figures published today by the SMMT.
A total of 147,922 cars were produced in the month – the best January performance since 2008.
Export demand was particularly strong, increasing by 10.8 per cent, as 117,916 British-built cars were shipped to overseas customers.
Almost 80 per cent of production in the first month of the year was for export. Meanwhile, production for UK customers fell 3.6 per cent, with 30,006 vehicles built.
The performance follows a very strong year for UK car production in 2016, with total car production reaching 1.7 million – a 17-year high for the sector.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: ‘UK car manufacturing made a very positive start to the year, carrying on the strong performance from 2016.
‘These latest results highlight, once again, the export-led nature of our industry and the global appeal of our products.
‘Future growth will depend upon maintaining our competitiveness, not least in terms of securing a future trade deal with the EU that allows us tariff-free access to our biggest market and the ability to move goods freely, unimpeded by any bureaucratic restrictions.’
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