UK car production reaches record high
British car manufacturing has hit its highest level for the year-to-date in a decade, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
A total of 1,318,452 new cars rolled off UK production lines in the first 10 months of the year, the best performance since 2005 and up 2.8% year-to-date. Exports drove volumes in October, with foreign demand up 1.5%, while the domestic market fell marginally month-on-month.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said, ‘Despite a small drop in overall output last month, the industry has delivered a robust performance so far this year, particularly in terms of exports. Given the slowdown we’ve seen in several key global markets in recent months, UK automotive manufacturing still remains in a strong position.’
| Car manufacturing | Oct-14 | Oct-15 | % Change | YTD-14 | YTD-15 | % Change |
| Total | 150,060 | 148,976 | -0.7% | 1,282,080 | 1,318,452 | 2.8% |
| Home | 33,895 | 31,078 | -8.3% | 281,791 | 309,076 | 9.7% |
| Export | 116,165 | 117,898 | 1.5% | 1,000,289 | 1,009,376 | 0.9% |
| % export | 77.4% | 79.1% | 78.0% | 76.6% |
Car output – rolling year totals UK vs. home
