UK automotive production achieved a 17-year high in 2016 with 1,722,698 cars rolling off the assembly line, according to the latest figures by SMMT.
The 15 resident UK automotive manufacturers achieved a production increase of 8.5% compared to 2015, reaching the highest level of output since 1999, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures reveal.
More cars are now being exported from Britain than ever before, the result of investments made over recent years in world-class production facilities, cutting-edge design and technology and one of Europe’s most highly skilled and productive workforces. However, there is a concern future investments won’t reach the same level as companies defer major decisions until the government’s strategy towards trading arrangements post-Brexit is made clear.
Ten brand new car models began production in the UK last year, nine of them from premium brands, which has helped make the UK the second biggest producer of premium cars after Germany and the third biggest car producer in Europe.
UK automotive exports to more than 160+ countries worldwide
Worldwide:
- EU – 56%
- US – 14.5%
- China – 6.5%
- Turkey – 3.1%
- Australia – 2.5%
- Japan – 1.9%
- Canada – 1.8%
- South Korea – 1.7%
- Israel – 1.1%
- Russia – 1%
Europe:
- Germany – 8.6%
- Italy – 7.2%
- France – 6.7%
- Belgium – 6.2%
- Spain – 3.4%
Total committed investment annoncements in the automotive sector in 2016 were approximately £1.66bn across a number of companies, down from £2.5bn in 2015.
Production growth was predominantly driven by overseas demand, with global appetite for British-built cars rising by more than 10% to an all-time high of 1,354,216 – a second consecutive annual record. Around eight out of every 10 cars manufactured in the UK is now exported, bound for one of 160 markets worldwide.
It was continuing economic recovery across Europe, however, that accounted for the bulk of the growth. Exports to the rest of the EU grew 7.5% to 758,680 and accounted for more than half of all UK car exports. Furthermore, Europe supplies the majority of components within UK-built vehicles, underlining the critical importance of tariff and barrier-free trade to future UK automotive production.
Growth was strong across a number of markets, notably the US – the UK’s biggest export destination after the EU – where demand rose by almost half (47.2%) meaning it now accounts for around 14.5% of all UK car exports. Notable uplifts were also seen in Turkey, Japan and Canada whilst China, third on the list of export markets, grew by a more modest 3.1% with 88,610 vehicles exported last year.
Domestic demand for UK built cars also grew last year, up 2.4% in the year, and the UK remains the second largest car market in Europe, again after Germany.4 One in seven new cars registered by UK buyers is now made in Britain, up from one in eight three years ago.
Chief executive of SMMT, Mike Hawes commented: “The tremendous growth in UK production is testament to the global competitiveness of the UK automotive sector. High class engineering, advanced technology and a workforce committed to quality have helped turn around the industry, making the UK among the most productive places in Europe to make cars.
“Significant investment in new plants and products over the past few years has driven this growth, not a post-Brexit bounce. We want trade deals, but they must be the right deals, not rushed deals. Failure to do so could damage UK automotive manufacturing beyond repair.”
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