Car production reaches double-digit growth in February

UK car production sees a 13.1% growth in February, according to the latest SMMT data

UK car production has set off to a good start in 2016, with 13.1% growth in February, according to the latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) data.

Reflecting the growing popularity of UK-built cars both at home and abroad, the SMMT said February’s performance puts production for the year-to-date up 10.6% over the same period last year. The increase was led by a strong domestic sales figure which rose 24.4%, and output for the domestic market which rose 24.4% in the month, accompanied by a robust 9.1% increase in export production.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The UK automotive industry’s impressive growth continued into February, with demand from both domestic and overseas customers showing no signs of slowing.”

Last year was also the best year for a decade for UK car manufacturing with total vehicle production hitting 1.6m. This year so far, 284,507 cars have been built in the UK, up 10.6% on 2015.

Hawes continued, “The outlook for the sector is bright, but much will depend on global political and economic conditions in the months and years to come.”

Earlier on this month, the SMMT noted that demand for new cars was up across all fuel types, with diesel and petrol registrations growing by 5.6%and 10.7% respectively, while alternatively-fuelled vehicles enjoyed an uplift of 19.9%.