The SMMT says that UK car manufacturing rose 5.8% to 1,343,810 in 2011 and ended the year with a 1.6% rise in December. The total for the year was boosted by strong exports.
Exports of cars were up by 17% to 1,124,676 units in 2011. However, car production for the home market was down by 29.1% to 219,134.
Commercial vehicle output fell by just 1.4% to 121,312 in 2011 and was down 2.7% in December.
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UK engine production rose by 4.9% to 2,504,054 in 2011, despite a modest 1.3% fall in December.
“UK vehicle and engine production continues to lead the manufacturing recovery with increased output and exports taking a record-breaking share,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive.
“In 2011, vehicle manufacturers renewed their commitment to the UK securing new model programmes, facilities and jobs for the long term. It is essential that industry and government continue to work in partnership to maximise the opportunities at all levels of the UK supply chain and encourage more investment in R&D, skills and new plant and machinery.”
John Leech, partner in KPMG’s Automotive practice, said that UK car production rose on the back of strong exports to developing economies such as China.
He noted that some OEMs were hampered by supply disruption in 2011 and that prospects for 2012 are fairly positive, despite worries over the eurozone economy. KPMG forecasts a rise for UK car output in 2012.
“2011 was adversely impacted by the Japanese earthquake and Thai floods so 2012 will see significant new models entering production at Nissan, Honda and Toyota. In the UK, we expect total production to strengthen in 2012 to 1.4 million new cars.
“All in all, we expect a gradually improving story with the second half of 2012 faring better than the first half. There are significant investments in new models and production capacity at a number of plants, notably at JLR and BMW. Despite the threats from global macroeconomic uncertainty, there’s great potential for the UK auto industry to grow and develop from a manufacturing and supply-chain perspective.”
The SMMT also released details of car output by plant for the year. Particularly strong output figures are evident for Land Rover (strong export demand generally, and added the Evoque), Nissan (Juke a hit) and Vauxhall (Astra model cycle).
| Manufacturer | Factory | 2011 | 2010 | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda | Swindon | 97459 | 139278 | -30% |
| Jaguar | Castle Bromwich | 49932 | 56356 | -11.4% |
| Land Rover | Solihull / Halewood | 238237 | 179165 | 33% |
| MINI | Oxford | 191474 | 216302 | -11.5% |
| Nissan | Sunderland | 480485 | 423262 | 13.5% |
| Toyota | Burnaston-Derby | 128146 | 137054 | -6.5% |
| Vauxhall | Ellesmere Port | 137971 | 102665 | 34.4% |
| Others | 20106 | 16362 | 22.9% | |
| All makes | 1343810 | 1270444 | 5.8% |
