UK car manufacturing is in its healthiest state since 2007 with over 1.5 million vehicles produced in 2013, according to data collected by the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
The output for the year equated to a 3.1% rise on 2012 despite a drop in output year-on-year in December of 15.9%.
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The figures compare to a record high of 1.92 million cars produced in 1972 when cars such as the original Mini dominated global sales.
Of the cars produced in 2013, over 308,000 were destined for the UK market, which was a rise of 21% on the figure in 2012, with the balance exported to major markets such as the US, China and Japan.
This meant that 13.6% of all consumer vehicles registered in the UK in 2013 had been built in the UK market, a percentage which is expected to rise as the manufacturing output of the sector continues to strengthen.
The figure of 1.2 million exported vehicles was down 0.9% year-on-year, reflecting the hang-over from the euro crisis and a slowing Chinese economy.
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By GlobalDataCommercial vehicle manufacturing had a poor year in comparison, with output down 21.7% on 2012 at 87,671 vehicles. This was also attributed to weak demand on the continent and a lack of business confidence in end users.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: "UK automotive investment announcements exceeded £2.5bn in 2013, reinforcing industry analysts’ suggestions that the UK could break all-time car output records within the next four years."
Vince Cable, the UK business secretary, 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."
