Car manufacturers show resilience

CAR production rose by 8.5% last month as the UK’s automotive sector continued to show its resilience in an otherwise struggling economy.

For the year-to-date, output is up 6.1% on 2010, with 1.25m cars produced. November saw 136,111 cars roll off the production lines.

Commercial vehicle production was also up last month, by 2.2% compared with November 2010, however, output for the 11 months to date is 2.3% down on the same period last year.

The North West has three major car production sites, Bentley at Crewe, Vauxhall at Ellesmere Port and Land Rover at Halewood, Liverpool. 

The picture for engine production was healthier with 227.018 produced in November, an increase of 1.7% on November last year. For the January to November period 2.35m engines have been made, an increase of 5.3% on last year.

Of the cars produced last month, 119,847 are destined for export – 88% of the total manufactured. The figure marks a 12% increase on the same month last year.

So far this year the UK has exported 1.043m cars, an 18.5% rise on last year.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “UK vehicle and engine production continues to lead a manufacturing recovery.

“Despite the challenges in the Eurozone, the UK motor industry expects further growth in 2012. Global vehicle manufacturers have committed more than £4bn of investment into the UK motor industry, boosting confidence in the sector and securing high value jobs for the long-term.”