UK CAR MANUFACTURING(data for full year 2013)
Embargoed to 00:01 on 23 January 2014
UK car manufacturing hits six-year high
- Car productionrose 3.1% in 2013 to surpass 1.5 million units – the highest volumesince 2007.
- Industry analysts predictoutput to reach record levels of around two million units by 2017.
- UKcould become the thirdlargest car manufacturer in Europe.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, "2013 demonstrated the value of the UK’s diverse car manufacturingindustry, as surging home demand and robust exports outside Europe saw output grow 3.1% to over 1.5 million units.UK automotive investment announcements exceeded £2.5 billion in 2013, reinforcing industry analysts’ suggestions that the UK could break all-time car output records within the next four years."
UK car manufacturing(selected years with AutoAnalysis forecasts 2014-2017)
Note: 1972 is currently the record year for car output (1.92 million cars)
Business Secretary Vince Cable said, "Today's figures are another sign that the British car industry is going from strength to strength – with one vehicle rolling off a production line somewhere in the UK every 20 seconds.
"Our success lies in the appetite from countries aroundthe world for British cars. Around 80% of the 1.5 million cars we produced last year were exported – a testament to the diverse,high quality of British manufacturing.
"It also highlights the benefits of industry and government working together and we want to continue this partnership through a long-term strategy. This will give businesses the confidence to invest, speed up development on vehicles of the future and keep the UK as a world leader in cars.Our investment of £1bn jointly with industry will help do this, while also delivering jobs and driving growth."
Car manufacturing / Dec-12 / Dec-13 / % Change / YTD-12 / YTD-13 / % ChangeTotal / 101,740 / 85,566 / -15.9% / 1,464,906 / 1,509,762 / 3.1%
Home / 17,019 / 15,075 / -11.4% / 253,140 / 308,367 / 21.8%
Export / 84,721 / 70,491 / -16.8% / 1,211,766 / 1,201,395 / -0.9%
% export / 83.3% / 82.4% / 82.7% / 79.6%
UK car exports – to EU and other destinations, 2009-2013 (*2013 is Q1-3 only)
Top fivenon-EU export destinations, 2009-2013 (*2013 is Q1-3 only)
VIDEO BRIEFING: SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes on 2013 UK car manufacturing:
About SMMT and UK the automotive industry
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. It supports the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad, promoting a united position to government, stakeholders and the media.
The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for £59 billion turnover and £12 billion value added. With more than 700,000 jobs dependent on the industry, it accounts for 10% of total UK exports and invests £1.7 billion each year in automotive R&D. More than 30 manufacturers build in excess of 70 models of vehicle in the UK supported by around 2,500 component providers and some of the world's most skilled engineers.More detail on UK automotive available in SMMT's Motor Industry Facts 2013 publication at
Broadcasters: SMMT has an ISDN studio and access to expert spokespeople, case studies and regional representatives.
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