November U.K. Car Output Up 9.3%; CV Build Up 10.8%

U.K. car production rose 9.3% in November to 150,084 units, boosted by a 10.8% rise in the export build.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says year-to-date output was up 3.8% at 1,472,835 units.

SMMT CEO Mike Hawes says November’s gains are encouraging and put the car industry in a strong position with one month left in the year.

“Particularly pleasing is the recent pick-up in export production, which is proof that despite challenges in some global markets, the U.K. continues to build cars that appeal to consumers across the world,” Hawes says in a statement.

The November car build for the home front rose 3.4% to 29,699 units for an 11-month total up 9.6% at 340,140. Export shipments rose 10.8% to120,484 units, putting the year-to-date total ahead 2.1% at 1,132,695.

Commercial-vehicle production rose 24.6% in November to 8,813 units for an 11-month total up 35.6% at 88,214. Assemblies for the domestic market fell 12.5% to 3,682 units, but this was more than offset by a 79.1% leap in export orders to 5,131.

After 11 months production for the domestic CV market was up 34.0% at 44,292 units, while the export market saw a 37.3% rise to 43,922.

Hawes says the recovery in U.K. CV manufacturing has seen consistently strong growth in almost every month this year.

U.K. engine output rose 3.5% in November to 209,133 units for an 11-month total down 0.9% at 2,216,265.

The engine build for the U.K. market fell 9.0% to 61,160 units for a n 11-month total down 6.0% at 795,333.

The number of engines built for the export market rose 13.3% for the month to 127,973 for a year-to-date total up 2.3% at 1,420,932.