UK car production reaches 17-year high in March

Exports continued to drive British car manufacturing in March, as demand rose 10.6 per cent in the month, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A total of 170,691 cars were built in the UK last month, up 7.3 per cent, with overseas buyers ordering more than 76 per cent of output. The month’s output exceeds that of March 2000, when 183,787 cars were built in the UK.

Overseas demand also helped push overall production to a 17-year high in Q1, to 471,695 units – an increase of 7.6 per cent. This helped offset a decline at home, with demand down 4.3 per cent in the quarter.

Source: SMMT

“UK car manufacturing is accelerating thanks to billions of pounds of investment committed over the past few years,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “A large proportion are the latest low emission diesels, and it’s essential for future growth and employment that we encourage these newer, cleaner diesels onto UK roads and avoid penalising consumers who choose diesel for its fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.”

With an eye on the upcoming election and how this will affect Brexit negotiations, he added: “Much of our output goes to Europe and it’s vital we maintain free trade between the UK and EU or we risk destroying this success story.”      _sg