A double digit fall in the number of cars built for domestic consumption saw over UK car manufacturing drop 1% year-on-year to 151,795 for the month of October, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

29,030 cars were built in October 2016, 10.9% less than the number built in the same month last year.

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Cars built for export saw a slight increase (1.7%) to 122,765, however this wasn’t enough to make up for the domestic fall.

As a result, just over four in five vehicles (80.9%) built in the UK in October were for export.

Year-to-date the figures were better, with a 3.3% year-on-year increase in the number of cars built for domestic use, and an 11% increase in the number of cars built for export meaning total UK car manufacturing was up 9.2% for the first 10 months of 2016, compared to the same period 2015.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said: “October's figures underline the export-led nature of the industry, with eight out of 10 cars built for overseas customers. Despite model changes which have ended the consistent growth pattern of the past year or so, we are still on track for a record number of exports.

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 “Given this dependence on global trade, it is crucial that British-built cars remain attractive to international buyers and exports are not subject to additional tariffs, costs and other barriers to successful trade. It is also essential government ensures there is economic stability and a competitive business environment to ensure we continue to attract the global investment that is behind this performance.”