UK automotive industry steps up production of vehicles for export

THE UK is producing more cars for export, which is helping to offset a decline in the home market, latest figures suggest.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) for September show steady growth in automotive volumes in September, with production rising by 0.9%.

The total number of vehicles manufactured in September 2016 was 159,726 (2015: 158,271). However, the number of vehicles produced for the home market declined 10.6% to 36,607 (2015: 40,970).

Offsetting this, numbers of vehicles produced for export rose 5% to 123,119 (2015: 117,301). The percentage of vehicles produced for export also rose as a consequence, up to 77.1% (2015: 74.1%).

Volumes for the year to date remain positive, up 10.5% as a whole to 1,292,453 (2015: 1,169,476) – the 14th consecutive month of growth.

Vehicles produced for the home market in the year to date are 291,811 (2015: 277,984), an increase of 5%.

For export, volumes are up more than 12% to 1,000,642 (2015: 891,492), taking volumes past one million in the first three quarters for the first time on record.

The percentage of vehicles produced for export in the first nine months was also up, at 77.4% (2015: 76.2%).

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “British-built cars are in demand across the world as demonstrated by the double digit growth in exports this year, resulting in more than a million cars produced for international markets.

“The vast majority of cars manufactured here in the UK are destined for abroad and future growth will depend on securing our international competitiveness and the barrier-free access to major global markets that has enabled UK Automotive to thrive.”

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