UK car production grew for the sixth consecutive month in February, driven by a surge in domestic demand.
In the best February since 2021, there were 10,200 more models produced (totalling 79,907 units) than in the same month last year, a rise of 14.6%. So far in 2024, 162,904 cars have rolled off UK production lines, an annual increase of 17.8%.
A 58% rise in car production for the local market was the main pull-out from the figures, released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That percentage represented a 7585-car year-on-year increase to 20,658 units in February.
Exports remained the UK’s main source of production, though, with manufacturing output up 4.6% on last year (to 59,249 units). The European Union was the main recipient of these vehicles (59.9%), followed by the US (14.8%), China (7.1%), Australia (3.3%) and Turkey (2.3%). Volumes to all of these markets rose – led by the US (up 95.6%) – apart from Turkey (down 20.3%).
Of those exports, 19,543 were EVs. The powertrain's total 29,038-unit output made up a third of February’s production total (a year-on-year rise of 6%).
“Another month of growth for UK car production is welcome news, reflecting strong demand at home and around the world for the latest British-built cars,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
With 67.3% of February’s EV output destined for overseas, Hawes renewed his call for the need to ramp up battery production and create more EV supply chains in the UK so the country can reap future rewards of this growing demand.
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