U.K. Vehicle, Engine Output Up in August

Car production in the U.K. rose 4% to 86,250 units in August, boosting the 8-month total 4.4% to 847,196.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says commercial-vehicle output climbed 9.3% for the month to 6,433 units, but the year-to-date total remained off 4% at 76,980.

Range Rover Evoque riding surge of U.K. exports.

U.K. engine production jumped 14.4% to 92,683 units in August, and the 8-month total of 924,176 is a 4.8% year-over-year improvement.

Society CEO Paul Everitt says in a statement that auto makers are benefiting from “a recent wave of private investment (that is) securing long-term growth for the U.K. sector.

“We are on target to exceed 2010 production volumes this year, with more growth to come in 2012,” he says.

Everitt says the government must continue to encourage and incentivize private-sector investment in research and development, skills and capital equipment to maintain momentum and deliver lasting opportunities for the U.K. supply base.

The industry exported 67,288 new cars in August, and the 8-month total spiked 18.9% over like-2010 at 699,333 units.

Exports of engines rose 8.2% to 88,308 units for the month, with year-to-date up 4.9% to 1,194,132.