UK car production to smash export record

UK car production is at its highest level since 2000, despite the loss of MG Rover, at 149,662 units.

Production for export is up by 4.4% in November and 0.9% year-to-date, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said: “Eight in every 10 cars made in the UK in November is destined for export markets and we expect the 2005 total to reach record volumes and market share. Overall car output in 2005 should hit 1.6 million units, a little down on 2004 but still a strong performance.”

		Nov '05		Nov '04		% chg		YTD '05		YTD '04		% chg
Total		149,662		149,280		0.3%		1,500,414		1,537,093		-2.4%
Home		30,272		34,871		-13.2%		393,784		440,151		-10.5%
% of total		20.2%		23.4%				26.2%		28.6%
Export		119,390		114,409		4.4%		1,106,630		1,096,942		0.9%
% of total		79.8%		76.6%				73.8%		71.4%