UK car production down six per cent in March
Provisional output data released today by the Office for National Statistics shows:
- Car production fell six per cent in March and 2.8 per cent over the year-to-date
- Output for export fell 3.8 per cent in March, production for home markets fell 11 per cent
‘The end of production at Longbridge is clearly going to impact on total car output in the months to come’, said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan. ‘However, we must be careful not to assume that storm clouds hang over all car production in this country. A Queens Award for International Trade for Toyota and a new model for Bentley’s plant in Crewe are two examples of recent good news stories. We should also remind ourselves that the UK has some of the most productive plants and hosts more car makers than any other country in Europe.’
Exports drive commercial vehicle production
Provisional output data released today by the Office for National Statistics shows:
- March CV output fell 3.1 per cent on March 2004
- Year to March total fell 4.7 per cent on same period last year
- Strong export growth continues to drive overall production
‘Despite a dip in production in March, export levels are strong due to a stable European market,’ said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. ‘UK commercial vehicle assembly is growing and sustained by several key firms. The roll-out of new vehicles from companies like LDV will help to boost UK production. Figures look good for 2005 and we believe year-end production figures may be near 2004 levels.’
The table below shows car production figures. Full figures can be downloaded below.
