New models accelerate UK car output
UK car output rises 7.8% in July as manufacturers ramp up production with new models.
After seven months of decline in the domestic market, production increases 17.7% ahead of number plate change in September. Year-to-date performance remains strong, with production passing the one million mark and in line with expectations.
British car manufacturing rose 7.8% in July, with 136,397 new units rolling off UK production lines, according to figures released today by SMMT. Major carmakers ramped up production for new and existing models in the month ahead of summer factory shutdowns, which provide an essential period for plant maintenance, upgrades and re-tooling.
Cars made for overseas buyers represented nearly 80% of output in the month with 106,525 units shipped abroad, compared with 29,872 which stayed at home.
Year-to-date new car production remains solid and has now passed the one million mark, though showing a slight dip of -1.6% compared with 2016, in line with expectations. Since January, overseas customers have taken delivery of 78.8% of new cars made in Britain, with UK manufacturers now exporting cars to more than 160 different countries around the world.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, ‘UK car production lines stepped up a gear in July, as usual bringing forward some production to help manage demand ahead of September and routine summer factory shutdowns. As the timing and length of these manufacturing pauses can shift each year, market performance comparisons for July and August should always be treated with caution, but as long as the economic conditions at home and abroad stay broadly stable we expect new car production to remain in line with expectations for the rest of 2017.’
