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Call for exports market action as UK car production soars

SMMT Car output rolling year totals May 2016
SMMT Car output rolling year totals May 2016

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July 1, 2016

UK car production in May 2016

  • 150,802 vehicles produced – up 26.4%.
  • Production for both home and export markets up 22.7% and 27.3% respectively.

STRONG growth in the British motor industry as UK car production soars – up 26.4% last month –  has brought an urgent call for the British government to maintain economic stability and free access to Europe, our biggest market, in the wake of the Referendum vote to leave the EU.

The call comes from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) as it published new figures for May when 150,802 cars were built in the month – a 26.4% jump compared with May 2015.

Nearly four out of five cars produced in the UK are exported.

Production for domestic and export markets saw respective rises of 22.7% and 27.3%, as demand for UK-built cars around the world continues to grow.

Industry vital to UK economy

  • Accounts for more than £71.6 bn turnover and £18.9 bn value added.
  • 169,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and 814,000 across wider automotive industry
  • Accounts for 12.0% of total UK export of goods
  • Invests £2.5 bn p.a. in R&D.
  • Over 30 manufacturers build over 70 vehicle models with more than 2,000 component providers.

May’s increase was the biggest since August 2015, which saw a 40.6% increase in output. Production in 2016 so far is now 13.6% ahead of the same period last year.

Output was predicted to be high for 2016 due to record investment levels and the launch of several new models across the UK.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “May’s performance is another strong month for UK car manufacturing, with demand for British-built vehicles up by over quarter.

“For this success to continue, we need government to maintain economic stability and help deliver the wider benefits – including free access to our biggest market – which have helped make the sector so globally competitive.”

UK car production soars

 

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