Production figures from the UK Office for National Statistics reveal that car production in September 2002 rose by 9.8% year on year to 144,498 units, bringing the year to date total to 1,242,082 units, up 13.4% on last year.

Export volumes increased by 22.8% at 90,321 units while home market production fell by 6.6%. Commenting on September car production SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, “We look set to consolidate our position this year as the second largest European new car market, and production output is expected to reach a healthy 1.6 million units.”