SMMT News UK Manufacturing

Export growth sees healthy rise for UK car production in April

25 May 2016 #SMMT News #UK Manufacturing

Car-output_rolling-year-totals-Apr-2016

  • UK car production makes further positive gains in April, up 16.4% with 149,334 units built.
  • Strong growth in manufacturing for export, with volumes up 23.7% in the month.
  • 588,024 cars built in 2016 so far – a 10.8% rise over the same period last year.

Wednesday 25 May, 2016 UK car manufacturing continued to make significant gains in April, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Almost 150,000 cars were built in the month, a 16.4% increase on April 2015, and marking the ninth consecutive month of growth.

Increasing overseas demand for British-built cars was again the driving force behind the growth: production for export jumped 23.7% in April, counterbalancing a 7.8% decline in cars made for the domestic market.

April’s figures bolster an already positive 2016 for UK car output, with 588,024 cars built in the first four months of the year – up 10.8% on the equivalent period in 2015.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Britain’s car manufacturing sector continues to thrive with a steady domestic market and surging demand from overseas, including our biggest export destination, Europe. This growth represents a significant endorsement of the strength and quality of the UK automotive industry.”

Car Manufacturing table

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