9:22 am, April 24, 2014
FIGURES released by the SMMT today show that UK car production rose by 12 per cent in March to 142,158 – a 2.9 per cent growth for 2014 to date.
Nearly 80 per cent of cars made in the UK are now exported, enhancing the UK’s balance of trade. The figures also show a 4.1 per cent drop in units staying in the UK.
‘The 12 per cent growth in UK car production in March is a significant step forward after a period of product changes at the start to the year,’ said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. ‘After several years in the doldrums, European demand for new cars is now picking up with growth in the last seven months.
‘This is a welcome boost for the UK’s volume manufacturers for whom Europe is the key market. As new models are launched and investments realised, the sector remains on course for all-time record levels of output by 2017.’
