UK car production rises

Increase fuelled by domestic demand

A surge in the number of vehicles made for the domestic market helped boost UK car production last month.

While the number of vehicles made for export dipped 0.2% in May 2105, home production rose 13.3%, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

Overall, a total of 119,338 cars were produced in the UK last month - a 2.3% rise on May 2014.

A total of 649,843 cars have been produced in the first five months of 2015 - a fall of 0.8% on the January-May 2014 figure.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "We have seen a steady performance in UK car manufacturing this year with volumes bolstered by a strong home market, while recovery in key European markets is helping to restore export production levels.

"Long-term, the picture is promising: 'Built in Britain' is still in high demand all over the world, with buyers attracted not only by iconic British brands but also by the high quality of our engineering.

"With a significant number of new models due to start production in the coming months, we anticipate a strong, sustained upturn in output volumes in the years ahead."