UK car production reaches record high

British car manufacturing has hit its highest level for the year-to-date in a decade, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

A total of 1,318,452 new cars rolled off UK production lines in the first 10 months of the year, the best performance since 2005 and up 2.8% year-to-date. Exports drove volumes in October, with foreign demand up 1.5%, while the domestic market fell marginally month-on-month.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said, ‘Despite a small drop in overall output last month, the industry has delivered a robust performance so far this year, particularly in terms of exports. Given the slowdown we’ve seen in several key global markets in recent months, UK automotive manufacturing still remains in a strong position.’

Car manufacturing	Oct-14	Oct-15	% Change	YTD-14	YTD-15	% Change
Total	150,060	148,976	-0.7%	1,282,080	1,318,452	2.8%
Home	33,895	31,078	-8.3%	281,791	309,076	9.7%
Export	116,165	117,898	1.5%	1,000,289	1,009,376	0.9%
% export	77.4%	79.1%		78.0%	76.6%

Car output – rolling year totals UK vs. home