UK car production rose 4.5% in first 11 months of year to 1,424,023 units according to data issued by the SMMT.

The SMMT said that 2013 output is set to pass 1.5m units for first time in six years.

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However, preparation for new model production at several UK sites saw November output dip 3.6%.

“With output up 4.5% in 2013 to-date, UK car manufacturing is on track to pass 1.5m units this year, the best performance since 2007,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “A number of mass-market manufacturers have this year used November to prepare their production lines for new models, so volumes dropped 3.6% in the month. However, the forthcoming new models will play an integral part in what is predicted to be an even stronger 2014 for UK car manufacturing.”

John Leech, KPMG’s UK Head of Automotive noted that BMW and Nissan are among the manufacturers preparing for new model launches.

“The industry is in confident mood as its key export market, the EU, continues to recover, posting its third straight monthly sales increase,” Leech said. “Most analysts are now forecasting EU car sales will grow in 2014.

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“Medium-term prospects for UK automotive production remain bright and will principally be fuelled by exports to both the EU and emerging markets.

“Our forecast is that UK production will continue to rise in 2014, 2015 and 2016 before peaking in 2017 at 1.9m vehicles.”


 Nov 12 Nov 13 % Change YTD-12 YTD-13 % Change
Total 142825 137624 -3.60% 1363166 1424023 4.50%
Home 21522 21714 0.90% 236099 293292 24.20%
Export 121303 115910 -4.40% 1127067 1130731 0.30%
% export 84.90% 84.20%   82.70% 79.40%