Despite occasional headwinds, car manufacturing in the UK is a powerful economic force and UK-made cars enjoy a reputation for excellence. It’s an industry that employs 198,000 people in manufacturing jobs and more than 600,000 cars were exported in 2024 alone.
UK-built options range from handcrafted luxury to mainstream models. The best way to illustrate the diversity of cars made in the UK is a quick tour through the breadth of British vehicle production.
Premium, Specialist and Low Volume
If you were to ask most people about what cars are made in the UK, it is likely that some of the premium, specialist and low volume manufacturers would be well-known.
· Aston Martin
· Bentley
· Jaguar Land Rover
· Lotus
· McLaren
· Morgan
· Rolls-Royce
Mass Market Standbys
The UK also has a strong reputation for mass market car production, which contributes a great deal to our economy while benefiting from the engineering expertise that’s among our country’s claims to fame.
· MINI
· Nissan
· Toyota
· Suzuki
Cars Made in the UK: SMMT Supports Success
With cars made in the UK earning worldwide respect thanks to precision manufacturing and several iconic luxury and mainstream brands, the motor industry is an important source of jobs and export revenue. Uniting the voice of the auto industry, providing industry-critical data, and hosting important motor industry events, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders provides vital representation of the industry’s interests. Organisations that are part of Britain’s automotive industry can submit membership applications to enjoy the benefits of being part of a unified voice. We work together to ensure that our industry has the support it needs to go from strength to strength.
SMMT is the primary source of UK automotive industry intelligence and insight, and our unrivalled vehicle data is uniquely placed to help companies stay one step ahead of the competition in their business planning and forecasting. For detailed vehicle data, new car sales statistics, and UK car registration figures by manufacturer, please visit the SMMT Data Shop.
apply to join
SMMT’s comprehensive membership base covers every aspect of the automotive industry, from vehicles to components, trailers to aftermarket; and from large global corporations to small and medium enterprises. The scope of interest of our members also varies dramatically, ranging from direct, partial or indirect involvement in the manufacturing of vehicles and components, to design engineering and distribution, and a variety of other services aligned to the industry.
Get in touch to find out how to join SMMT.
If you are already a part of an organisation that has an SMMT membership, click here to register your account.
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