Caterham Cars has announced plans to ramp up capacity at its Dartford factory for the foreseeable future.

It says the move is in response to buoyant sales of its lightweight two-seater sportscar, the Seven.

The increase in capacity will go some way to shortening the current 3-4 month waiting list, says the carmaker.

Over the past 12 months, Caterham has enjoyed consistently strong sales both in the UK and a rapidly-maturing overseas market.

“Despite the economic background we have recorded an extremely positive sales period,” says Ansar Ali, Managing Director of Caterham Cars. “Adding to our capacity merely underlines our position in the market.”

In the UK, the Roadsport 175 and the more track-focused Superlight R300 remain the most popular models, just ahead of the entry-level Ford Sigma-powered Roadsport 125.

Ali adds: “The export market has certainly been boosted by the exchange rate but more decisively by our success in achieving European Type Approval last year and the launch of the Ford Duratec powered Roadsport 175. Collectively they have combined to deliver for us.”