News : UK manufacturing up, despite recession fears

• UK car output rises 7.8 per cent in July as manufacturers ramp up production
• After seven months of decline, production increases 17.7 per cent
• Production passes the one million mark and in line with expectations

Despite fears of an impending recession, UK car manufacturing rose 7.8 per cent in July, with 136,397 new units rolling off UK production lines, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Production for the UK bounced back in July, after seven months of decline, rising 17.7 per cent – an increase of 4490 units – while exports also grew by 5.3 per cent. Cars made for overseas buyers represented nearly 80 per cent of output in the month with 106,525 units shipped abroad, compared with 29,872 which stayed in the UK.

Year-to-date new car production remains solid and has now passed the one million mark, though showing a slight dip of -1.6 per cent compared with 2016, in line with expectations. Since January, overseas customers have taken delivery of 78.8 per cent of new cars made in Britain, with UK manufacturers now exporting cars to more than 160 different countries around the world.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, ‘As long as the economic conditions at home and abroad stay broadly stable we expect new car production to stay in line with expectations for the rest of 2017.’

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Keith Adams

Editor and creator AROnline at AROnline

Created www.austin-rover.co.uk in 2001 and built it up to become the world's foremost reference source for all things BMC, Leyland and Rover Group, before renaming it AROnline in 2007.

Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...

Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.

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