The number of cars manufactured in the UK declined by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
There were 402,193 cars produced in the first three months of the year compared to 404,803 in Q1 2014.
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The number of cars manufactured for domestic use increased by 22% year-on-year, reaching 105,515. The number of cars exporter declined by 6.8% to 296,678 in the same period.
In March, domestic production increased by 1.9% compared to the same month in 2014. There were 144,893 cars built in the UK last month, which was the highest March figure since 2006.
The figures come as a new analysis by SMMT reveals that productivity in UK automotive manufacturing is at an all-time high. Looking at the past five year period, 11.5 vehicles were produced a year for each person employed in the industry. For the period from 2005 to 2009, the figure stood at 9.3 vehicles produced per employee per year.
Mike Hawes, chief executive at SMMT, said: "Productivity figures prove that the UK is not only making a diverse range of vehicles which are in high demand around the world, but that manufacturers, supported by a flexible workforce, are producing them more efficiently than ever."
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