- UK car production rose 12% in March to 142,158 units, bringing 2014-to-date growth to 2.9%.
- Good news for UK’s volume manufacturers as European demand for cars strengthens.
- Nearly 80% of cars manufactured are for global export markets, enhancing UK balance of trade.
“The 12% growth in UK car production in March is a significant step forward after a period of product changes at the start to the year,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “After several years in the doldrums, European demand for new cars is now picking up with growth in the last seven months. This is a welcome boost for the UK’s volume manufacturers for whom Europe is the key market. As new models are launched and investments realised, the sector remains on course for all-time record levels of output by 2017.”
Car manufacturing output rolling year total
Car manufacturing output, year-to-date, 2012-2014
Click through to download the full UK car manufacturing news release for March 2014.