Automakers in the UK have boosted output in the calendar year to date to the highest level since 2008, producing 1,132,017 units – up just 0.6% year on year.
September output fells 2.8% to 137,068 units but the SMMT said this was due to planned re-tooling for model changes.
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Production for the home market was up 17.7% in September as the UK new car market continued to thrive.
“It is testament to the strength of the automotive industry that it continues to break records – yielding the best year-to-date performance for six years and comfortably surpassing 1m units,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
“The continued investment by the sector into new models means the September figures took a slight dip as some plants underwent re-tooling but it is these same new models which will help increase production volumes in the future.”
Data from SMMT:
| Car manufacturing | Sep-13 | Sep-14 | % Change | YTD-13 | YTD-14 | % Change |
| Total | 141,056 | 137,068 | -2.8% | 1,125,674 | 1,132,017 | 0.6% |
| Home | 28,996 | 34,121 | 17.7% | 240,943 | 247,893 | 2.9% |
| Export | 112,060 | 102,947 | -8.1% | 884,731 | 884,124 | -0.1% |
| % export | 79.4% | 75.1% | 78.6% | 78.1% |
