Growth in car production a “significant endorsement” of UK automotive industry

The Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says the latest figures on UK car production are a “significant endorsement” of the UK’s automotive industry.

Making the comments after the latest figures were announced this week, Mike Hawes said that the significant gains made in April 2016, showed both strength and quality of the industry.

“Britain’s car manufacturing sector continues to thrive with a steady domestic market and surging demand from overseas, including our biggest export destination, Europe,” he explained.

“This growth represents a significant endorsement of the strength and quality of the UK automotive industry.”

Almost 150,000 cars were built last month, a 16.4 percent increase on April 2015, and marking the ninth consecutive month of growth.

Increasing overseas demand for British-built cars was again the driving force behind the growth: production for export jumped 23.7 percent in April, counterbalancing a 7.8 percent decline in cars made for the domestic market.

April’s figures bolster an already positive 2016 for UK car output, with 588,024 cars built in the first four months of the year – up 10.8 percent on the equivalent period in 2015.