The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported an overall rise of 1.3% in the production of cars compared to the figure for July last year.
While there was an overall increase in production of cars to 98,094, there was a fall in the production of commercial vehicles of 5.9%.
A total of 183,513 engines were made in the UK last month – 0.7% fewer than in July 2010. Engine production for the year so far, however, is up 4% at more than 1.5 million. Vehicle manufacturing as a whole is predicted to grow steadily, with a consistent focus on emerging markets.
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: “Economic growth remains fragile but thanks to a strong export market, automotive manufacturing continues to outperform the broader economy.”
He added: “We expect vehicle and engine production to continue to rise fuelled by demand in the fast-growing BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies, as well as mainland Europe and the US.”
George Archer
