Car production falls in November

Model changes and economic uncertainty in export markets have flattened UK car production, says SMMT

The number of cars produced fell fractionally in November, but the motor industry expects manufacturing to pick up next year.

A total of 137,347 cars were made in the UK in November 2014 - a 0.2% reduction on the figure for the same month in 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

Production totalled just under 1.42 million in the first 11 months of this year - a 0.3% fall on the January-November 2013 figure.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "Model changes and economic uncertainty in export markets have flattened UK car production, but the industry remains in a strong position, with growth expected to return next year.

"Global demand for UK automotive engineering continues to be at a high level, and manufacturing plants are seeing the benefits of significant recent investments.

"UK-built cars offer a vast range of technologies to lower carbon emissions and improve air quality, underlining the country's important role in the continuing drive to reduce all emissions."

The SMMT also announced that UK commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing fell 0.7% to 7,073 in November 2014.

CV production for the first 11 months of 2014 stands at 65,054 - a 21.6% dip on the total for January-November 2013.

Hawes said: "The signs remain positive for CV production after many months of decline, with output in November almost level.

"The strong UK market is driving the turnaround, while export markets continue to struggle. We anticipate 2015 to be a better year as new models ramp up and the effects of last year's restructuring no longer apply."