SMMT News UK Manufacturing

Steady start for car manufacturing as industry gears-up for strong year

21 February 2013 #SMMT News #UK Manufacturing
  • Car manufacturing rose 1.2% in January to 129,049 units.
  • Strong domestic demand saw output of cars built for the UK market rise 26.1%.
  • Of all cars produced in January, 79.1% were exported.
  • Independent analysts suggest that UK car manufacturing could grow a third bigger by 2016 with output approaching two million vehicles each year.

“UK car manufacturing grew modestly in January, up just 1.2% on the same period in 2012. Output is typically subdued in January as manufacturers extend holiday periods to upgrade plants and re-tool for new models,” said Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive. “Despite ongoing economic challenges, growing demand for UK-built products in emerging global markets coupled with major new investment is paving the way for a positive year for automotive manufacturing.”

Car manufacturing Jan-12 Jan-13 % Change YTD-12 YTD-13 % Change
Total 127,550 129,049 1.2% 127,550 129,049 1.2%
Export 106,190 102,111 -3.8% 106,190 102,111 -3.8%
Home 21,360 26,938 26.1% 21,360 26,938 26.1%

Car output rolling year total – January 2013


UK commercial vehicle output – January 2013

  • Commercial vehicle (CV) output fell 20.5% in the first month of year to 7,822 units.
  • CV output for export fell 37.2% in January, while output for the domestic market grew 3.2%.
  • More than half of January’s CV output was for the home market.

“Manufacturing of commercial vehicles in the UK covers a diverse spectrum of vehicles from light panel vans to heavy trucks, as well as minibuses, double-deckers and luxury coaches,” said Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive. “UK registrations of trucks were strong through most of 2012, but dropped off in the final quarter impacting output. However, domestic demand for buses and coaches grew significantly through 2012 on the back of government incentives and a wider focus on public transport.”

CV manufacturing Jan-12 Jan-13 % Change YTD-12 YTD-13 % Change
Total 9,844 7,822 -20.5% 9,844 7,822 -20.5%
Export 5,778 3,626 -37.2% 5,778 3,626 -37.2%
Home 4,066 4,196 3.2% 4,066 4,196 3.2%

 

UK engine output – January 2013

  • UK engine production declined 5.1% in January to 219,757 units.
  • UK manufacturers make some 2.5 million petrol and diesel engines each year.
  • International vehicle manufacturers spend millions of pounds every year to design, develop and engineer powertrains in the UK.
SMMT data Jan-12 Jan-13 % Change YTD-12 YTD-13 % Change
Engine manufacturing 231,525 219,757 -5.1% 231,525 219,757 -5.1%
Export 147,823 133,746 -9.5% 147,823 133,746 -9.5%
Home 83,702 86,011 2.8% 83,702 86,011 2.8%

Click through to download the UK automotive manufacturing news release for January 2013.

If you use these figures in online editorial, please reference www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/ as the source.

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