The latest figures from the SMMT shows that the UK has now exported 1,000,000 cars and counting for the year of 2016 in what has been a very successful year for the motor industry. This is a first time on record that the export figure has hit a million in the first three quarters of the year. Manufacturing has also seen a small increase as September saw an increase of 0.9% with 159,726 units rolling of production lines.
However, September was also able to offer a more impressive figure of a 5% increase of cars being exported (123,199 units) offsetting a 10.6% decrease of cars produced for the home market. Year-to-date figures are even more impressive – 10.5% for the year, with an impressive 1,292,453 units.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “British-built cars are in demand across the world as demonstrated by the double digit growth in exports this year, resulting in more than a million cars produced for international markets. The vast majority of cars manufactured here in the UK are destined for abroad and future growth will depend on securing our international competitiveness and the barrier-free access to major global markets that has enabled UK Automotive to thrive.”