Provisional output data released today by the Office for National Statistics shows:
- Exports hit a record 1,184,503 units in 2005, 74.2 per cent of output
- Production fell to 1,595,697 units over the full year, after MG Rover collapse
- Aside from MG Rover, UK manufacturers showed a net 1.7 per cent rise in output
‘2005 saw record output levels at many of the UK’s car manufacturing facilities, with BMW’s MINI plant and Toyota’s Derbyshire site coming up hot on the heels of Nissan’s 315,000 units. Vauxhall and Land Rover also recorded impressive growth’, said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive.
‘However, 2005 will also be remembered for the sad closure of MG Rover. Despite increases in other UK plants, the Longbridge shortfall of 77,000 units was enough to bring output down to just under 1.6 million units in 2005. The record export volumes, now nearly 75 per cent, demonstrate clearly that the UK is still a great place to make high quality cars.’
Commercial vehicle export volumes better than expected
Provisional commercial vehicle production data for December, released today by the Office for National Statistics shows:
- Annual export production up 1.7 per cent on 2004 to 130,273.
- December CV production down 8.7 per cent on December 2004.
- Total 2005 production at 206,753 units; down only 1.2 per cent on last year.
‘Annual CV production for 2005 fell just short of last year’s volumes,’ said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. ‘There was some export growth with volumes up on the year before, but total production for the home market dropped, despite a strong second quarter. As we expected; total volumes were to 210,000 units and for we think 2006 should see even more exports.’
