UK car manufacturing grew 1.1% in the first half of 2013, to 764,390 units. This followed a 4.6% uplift in the second quarter and a 10.4% rise in June.
Four out of five cars built in the UK are exported but higher output for the home market, up 24.4%, boosted volumes.
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“Car output in the UK grew during the first half of 2013, up 1.1% building on a strong 2012 when manufacturing performed above pre-recession levels,” said Mike Baunton, SMMT interim chief executive.
“Subdued demand in some European countries has held back production levels this year, but it is encouraging to see a significant rise in volumes destined for UK buyers. Our industry is building and developing innovative, high-quality products that appeal to a global customer base and because of this, independent analysts are confident that car output will grow in the long-term despite economic concerns [on the European continent].”
Commercial vehicle (CV) output rose 1.4% to 8,480 units in June, off the back of increased volumes for the home market.
But production fell 13.5% during the first half of 2013 to 48,517 units.
A fall in export volumes affected growth with just 51% of output going overseas for the year to date compared with 61% in the same period of 2012.
“June’s CV output provides a welcome boost to our commercial vehicle industry, with volumes increasing 1.4% in the month, following a 17% surge in home market demand,” said Nigel Base, SMMT commercial vehicle manager. “Year-to-date volumes offer a slightly gloomier picture, falling 13.5% in the first half of 2013 as CV manufacturers continue to feel the effects of weak demand abroad. The remainder of the year will be challenging but strengthening UK demand is expected to support domestic manufacturers of vans, trucks buses and coaches.”
UK engine manufacturing rose 10.9% in June to 225,266 units. Despite the monthly surge, output during the first half of 2013 was down 1.2% to 1,319,998 units.
“Engine production has performed in line with overall UK vehicle manufacturing trends. As for vehicles, weak export volumes are constraining overall growth,” the SMMT said.
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