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Passenger-car production in the U.K. rose 1.3% in July, but output in the small-commercial-vehicle segment fell 5.9%, leaving combined production up 0.7%.
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders data shows 98,094 passenger cars were built during the month, along with 9,127 CVs.
That raised 7-month car output 3.7% to 760,946 units, with CV production down 5.1% to 70,547. Combined assemblies rose 2.9% to 831,493 units.
Passenger-car exports, accounting for almost 84% of production, climbed 15.9% to 81,960 units as the 7-month total increased 19% to 632,045 units.
Europe’s struggling economy dampened demand for CVs, with exports off 18.7% in July to 5,366 units for a 7-month total down 20% to 41,300 units.
U.K. engine production dipped 0.4% in July to 183,513 units, but the year-to-date total was up 4% to 1,512,543 units.
Engine exports rose 3.4% to 135,261 units, and the 7-month total was up 4.6% to 1,105,478.
SMMT forecasts steady growth in vehicle and engine manufacturing, with continued focus on export markets including the U.S., Europe, Russia, India, China and Brazil.
“Economic growth remains fragile, but thanks to a strong export market, automotive manufacturing continues to outperform the broader economy,” CEO Paul Everitt says.
