10-year high for UK car manufacturing in 2015
Published Date: 21st Jan 2016
Car manufacturing in the UK has hit a 10-year high, with more vehicles exported than ever before according to the SMMT.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said almost 1.6 million cars were built in 2015, up 3.9% on 2014.
Nearly four out of five cars were exported, up by 2.7% on 2014, despite falls in sales to China and Russia.
But this was offset by economic recovery in Europe, where demand for UK-built cars increased by 11% in 2015.
Production of the Mini rose by 12.4% last year to 201,000 and Toyota produced 190,000 cars, up 10.4%.
Vauxhall's production rose by 9.5% to 85,000, and Jaguar Land Rover saw a 9% rise to 489,000.
However, Nissan recorded a 4.7% reduction, to 476,000, and Honda was down by 2%, to 119,000).
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne Announced -
“Backing Britain’s car industry has been a priority for this government and today we see the industry going from strength to strength. I am hugely encouraged that manufacturing is at a 10-year high and exports are at a record level. All this means jobs and the security of a pay packet for workers and their families.”
“Our plans to rebalance the economy mean we have to continue to build on our great manufacturing strengths in the Midlands and the North of England, and work together to ensure that Britain continues to prosper as a global leader in car production.”
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said –
“Despite export challenges in some key markets such as Russia and China, foreign demand for British-built cars has been strong, reaching record export levels in the past year. Achieving these hard fought for results is down to vital investment in the sector, world class engineering and a committed and skilled UK workforce – one of the most productive in the world.
“Continued growth in an intensely competitive global marketplace is far from guaranteed, however, and depends heavily on global economic conditions and political stability. Europe is our biggest trading partner and the UK’s membership of the European Union is vital for the automotive sector in order to secure future growth and jobs.”
The appetite for British-built cars grew significantly in other key and emerging regions, demonstrating the strength and diversity of UK manufacturing and product. In the US, demand rose by more than a quarter (26.5%), making it the UK’s biggest trading destination outside the EU, ahead of China. Meanwhile, notable growth was also seen in Australia, South Korea, Turkey and Japan with volumes up 53.7%, 55.2%, 41.1% and 35.4% respectively.
British consumer and business demand for British-made cars also contributed to last year’s success, with the home car market rising 8.1% on the previous year. One in seven new cars registered in the UK in 2015 was made in Britain.
