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United Kingdom vehicle manufacturing sees highest August total for 14 years

UK-built cars have grown in both domestic and overseas demand, with a 6.2% increase in August for UK-bound cars, and a 10.2% increase for exported cars.

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The SMMT also reported a 6.2% lift in the number of cars for the United Kingdom market.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 109,004 cars were built last month – a rise of 9.1% compared to a year earlier and the highest August total in 14 years. However, exports output in the year-to-date remains ahead, up 2.9% to 30,974 on the same period in 2015, with more than half (52.2%) of UK-built CVs destined for global markets.

Vehicle manufacturers’ output has risen by 12 per cent in 2016 so far to 1,132,727 units, as the industry continues to grow as it has done in recent years.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT said that British auto producers are exporting a diverse range of high quality, attractive new models that are in demand across the world.

“British auto producers are exporting a diverse range of high quality, attractive new models that are in demand across the world thanks to multi billion pound investments made in United Kingdom plants over the past few years”.

“The automotive sector now accounts for a bigger share of our exports than ever before, and we will support this success by investing in innovation and continuing to give workers the skills they need to succeed”.

Hawes urged more such spending and efforts so that the United Kingdom maintains its “internationally competitive business and trading conditions”.

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It said that United Kingdom manufacturing production increased at its fastest pace in seven months during August, after a post-Brexit slump in July. In the past 12 months, 1.13m vehicles have been made in the country, up 12pc from a year ago.

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