UK car production has best January since 2008 as exports jump – SMMT
British car production has had its best January since 2008, according to data released this morning.
UK car makers built 137,552 vehicles in January, up eight per cent on the same month last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
Demand from abroad helped boost sales. The number of vehicles exported rose 9.7 per cent on January 2015 to 106,441.
Domestic sales climbed 2.5 per cent to 31,111. The domestic market is strong – Brits registered a record number of new cars last year.
Last year was also the best year for a decade for UK car manufacturing with total vehicle production hitting 1.6m.
“January’s figures mark an encouraging start to the year for the UK car industry, following an impressive 2015,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
We expect output to continue growing in the coming years as the industry benefits from continuing investment, but much will depend on global economic and political conditions and consumer confidence.”