U.K. Output at Decade-Long High

U.K. vehicle production is at its best level since 2005, with year-to-date output up 2.8% at 1,318,452 units.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says exports are driving demand, with 1,009,376 British-built vehicles shipped to global markets in the first 10 months of the year.

The 10-month build for the home market was up 9.7% at 309,076 units.

October output fell 0.7% to 148,976 units, with the export order rising 1.5% to 117,898 and domestic builds down 8.3% to 31,078.

SMMT CEO Mike Hawes says despite the small drop in overall production in October, the industry has delivered a robust performance so far this year, particularly in terms of exports.

“Given the slowdown we've seen in several key global markets in recent months, U.K. automotive manufacturing still remains in a strong position,” Hawes says in a statement.

The results were even more impressive in the commercial-vehicle segment.

The CV build rose 10.5% to 7,905 units in October, marking the ninth consecutive month of growth. This left the year-to-date volume up 36.9% at 79,401 units.

The export market saw production rise 32.1% for the month to 3,781 units, for a 10-month total ahead 33.1% at 38,791. The home market build fell 3.6% to 4,214 units, but remained up 40.8% for the year so far at 40,610.

Overseas demand kept U.K. engine production on the rise in October, with the monthly build up 4.0% to 219,737.

SMMT data shows the export market jumped 13.2% to 135,434 units, more than offsetting an 8.0% drop in home demand to 84,303 units.

The year-to-date engine build was off 1.3% at 2,007,157 units, but Hawes says passing the 2 million-unit mark reflects the stability of the market.

After 10 months, production for export was up 1.3% at 1,292,980 units, while the domestic build was down 5.6% at 714,177 units.