The UK automotive industry was highly praised on tonight’s BBC Top Gear, the world’s most popular motoring television programme.
In the final episode of the 20th series, the Top Gear team celebrated the success and diversity of the UK automotive and motor sport industries. The feature focused on a number of large-scale manufacturers, including Honda, MINI, Nissan and Toyota as well as Rolls-Royce, transmission technology specialists, Xtrac, and a variety of suppliers and Formula One and motorsport teams.
Every vehicle model produced in the UK was then displayed on The Mall in London as part of the Queen’s Coronation celebrations, bringing automotive manufacturers of all varieties and sizes together.
SMMT Interim Chief Executive, Mike Baunton said, “Many are well aware of the UK automotive industry’s impressive performance in recent years, but sometimes this message is still not heard. With the vast popularity of Top Gear, this positive message has now been delivered to 5.3 million people across the country.”
Click through to view Top Gear’s UK automotive manufacturing feature on BBC iPlayer.
About the UK automotive industry
On average over the last decade, the UK has produced 1.6 million cars and commercial vehicles and more than 2.5 million engines annually.
The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for £59 billion turnover and £12 billion value added. With more than 700,000 jobs dependent on the industry, it accounts for 10% of total UK exports and invests £1.7 billion each year in automotive R&D. The industry plays an important role in the UK’s trade balance, with vehicle manufacturers exporting around 80% of production.
More than 30 manufacturers design, research, develop and engineer cars, commercial vehicles and engines in the UK, building in excess of 70 vehicle models across the country, supported by around 2,500 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers.
For further information on the UK automotive industry, please see SMMT’s Motor Industry Facts Guide 2013.
