U.K. Output Tops 1 Million on 0.9% September Gain
An industry group reports builds for export rose 5.0% last month to 123,119 units, offsetting a 10.6% decline in production for the home market to 36,607. It was the 14th consecutive month of export growth.
Vehicle manufacturing in the U.K. continued its steady growth in September with volumes rising 0.9% to 159,726 units, taking the year’s total above 1 million units, the first time that figure has been reached at the three-quarter mark.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports exports rose 5.0% for the month to 123,119 units, offsetting a 10.6% decline in production for the home market to 36,607. It was the 14th consecutive month of export growth.
This left the build for the first three quarters of the year up 10.5% at 1,000,642 units.
Society CEO Mike Hawes says with the vast majority of cars built in the U.K. destined for abroad, “future growth will depend on securing our international competitiveness and the barrier-free access to major global markets that has enabled U.K. automotive to thrive.”
U.K. commercial-vehicle production eased 0.7% in September to 9,742 units.
A 16.5% jump in exports to 5,722 units almost offset an 18.0% drop in the home market to 4,020.
After a strong performance last year, the 9-month CV total was down 2.9% year-on-year at 69,342 units, with the export market up 4.8% at 36,696 and the domestic market down 10.3% at 32,646.
The SMMT says export demand was driven by the ongoing recovery in continental European markets. But Hawes says September’s drop in CV output comes as no surprise after regulatory changes last year significantly altered fleet-renewal patterns.
U.K. engine manufacturing grew 6.3% from like-2015 in September to 239,086 units, while export orders fell 10.9% to 130,219. Year-to-date, production was up 6.7% at 1,906,709 units.
Home-market demand was up 34.4% after nine months to 845,640 units, while the export build was down 8.4% to 1,060,169.
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