The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have reported that UK car output climbed by 7.8% in July as manufacturers’ ramp up production with new model launches.
With almost seven months of decline in the UK market, production has now increased by 17.7% ahead of the new number plate change in September. This gives the year-to-date performance a robust performance outlook with production passing one million vehicles, in line with expectations.
With 136,397 new units rolling off UK production lines, the SMMT figures show that major carmakers have certainly ramped up production for new and existing models in the month leading up to the summer factory shutdowns.
Production for the UK bounced back in July with an increase of 4,490 units while exports also grew by 5.3%. Cars made for overseas buyers represented nearly 80% of output in the month with 106,525 units shipped abroad, compared with 29,872 for the UK market. Since January, overseas customers have taken delivery of 78.8% of new cars made in Britain, with UK manufacturers now exporting cars to more than 160 different countries.
Commenting upon the statistics, Mr Mike Hawes, the SMMT Chief Executive said: “UK car production lines stepped up a gear in July, as usual bringing forward some production to help manage demand ahead of September and routine summer factory shutdowns. As the timing and length of these manufacturing pauses can shift each year, market performance comparisons for July and August should always be treated with caution, but as long as the economic conditions at home and abroad stay broadly stable we expect new car production to remain in line with expectations for the rest of 2017.”
