Engineering news
UK car manufacturing output increased 9% year-on-year in August to 109,004 units – the highest volume recorded for the month in 14 years, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
A total of 1,132,727 vehicles have rolled off British production lines so far in 2016, representing a year-on-year growth of 12%.
Demand for UK cars rose at home and overseas, with production for the domestic market up 6% in August to 27,804 units, while export volumes grew 10% to 81,200.
In the year-to-date, more than 877,523 cars have been built for international customers – 13% more than in the same period of 2015.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “August’s strong performance is good news for car makers and welcome news for the UK economy, which depends on this thriving sector for an increasing share of UK exports. British car producers are exporting a diverse range of high quality, attractive new models that are in demand across the world thanks to multi billion pound investments made in UK plants over the past few years.
"Future success depends on continued investment in plant and products and that in turn depends on the UK maintaining internationally competitive business and trading conditions."
Earl Yardley, director at Industrial Vision Systems – a supplier of machine vision systems to industry, added: "Industry now has the ability to perform at a rate which can eclipse the performances of other European nations and this has been initiated by the growing adoption of innovative industrial automation processes within the UK manufacturing work space over the last few years.
“We are no longer playing second fiddle to the likes of Germany. Instead we have set the bar during the past 18 months and have been looking up, rather than down. Adoption of automation technology is growing rapidly in the UK and we have witnessed clear evidence that UK manufacturers are adopting standard principles which have been used in German manufacturing for many years.”
Yardley added: “This has resulted in a transition which has seen the performance of the manufacturing sector in the UK change significantly through continuous investment, and all for the better. What the UK industry can do now is prepare for a strong future based on our outstanding science, technology, research and engineering base focusing on market-oriented activities."
In addition, UK engine manufacturing output rose 20% in August to 135,063 units after plants reopened after the summer shutdown.
Home demand grew by 49% in the month and 34% in the year-to-date to 737,673 units, as exports dipped 1%. Overall year-to-date performance remains steady, growing 7% to reach 1.7 million units.
Hawes added: “UK engine manufacturing volumes returned to growth in August as production lines came back online following the summer shutdown, which this year reduced July output. Domestic demand was particularly strong thanks to billions invested last year in supply for UK car factories. Production for export dipped slightly, although it retains the lion’s share of output, underlining the need to safeguard the global trading conditions that have kept this sector competitive in recent years.”