UK car manufacturing sees its best year-to-date performance since 2008: producing 1,132,017 units – up 0.6%.
The output in September fell slightly to 137,068 units, down 2.8% due to planned re-tooling for model changes. But production for the domestic market was up 17.7% in September, as the UK new car market continues to thrive.
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The SMMT said the drop in output in September was down to planned re-tooling of production lines as factories prepared for model changes. However, the fall in exports also coincides with fears of the beginning of another slowdown in the eurozone- the UK’s main trading partner.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, ignoring the possible negatives, said: “It is testament to the strength of the automotive industry that it continues to break records – yielding the best year-to-date performance for six years and comfortably surpassing one million units. The continued investment by the sector into new models means the September figures took a slight dip as some plants underwent re-tooling but it is these same new models which will help increase production volumes in the future.”
Business Secretary Vince Cable added: “The UK automotive sector is a global success story underpinned by manufacturing innovation, which is what keeps manufacturing moving.”
