UK engine manufacturing output rose 19.8% in August to 135,063 units. Home demand grew 49.1% in the month and 33.9% YTD to 737,673 units, as exports dipped 1.1%. Overall year-to-date performance remained steady, growing 6.7% to reach 1.7m units.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "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.
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"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."
This week, Ford said its Bridgend plant in Wales has built its 20 millionth engine, 37 years after the first was made in September 1979.
A new family of technologically-advanced, fuel-efficient petrol engines has been confirmed to be built in Bridgend. With an initial investment of GBP100m, production is planned to start in late 2018.
Ford recently announced it would axe GBP81m (US$107m) from that programme's initial budget of GBP181m for engine development at the Bridgend plant but stressed this would not involve job losses.
The first engine produced in Bridgend was a CVH petrol engine for the third generation Ford Escort.
