UK car production grew by more than 13.1 per cent during February, according to the latest figures, with volumes buoyed by an easing of supply chain shortages.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that 69,707 units left factory gates in the second month of the year.
Production for both home and overseas markets rose by double digits, up 20.3 per cent and 11.5 per cent respectively, with exports driving the overall uplift. 56,634 cars were produced to fulfil global orders, up from 50,786 a year before and accounting for 81.2 per cent of output, with the majority of these exports heading into the UK’s largest trading partner, the EU.
The UK’s automotive industrial transition to hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles continued, with combined volumes surging 72.2 per cent from 15,905 to a total of 27,392 units and accounting for 39.3 per cent of cars produced in the month.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “February’s growth in UK car production signposts an industry on the road to recovery. The fundamentals of the sector are strong; a highly skilled workforce, engineering excellence, a sector that is embracing new electrified vehicle manufacturing and wide-ranging capabilities in the EV supply chain.
“To take advantage of global opportunities, however, we must scale up at pace and make the UK the most attractive destination for automotive investment by addressing trading and fiscal costs and delivering low carbon, affordable energy.”