UK car production rises 16% in September with upturn in exports

[LONDON] British car production rose by nearly 16 per cent in September compared with the same month last year driven by a rise in car exports, an industry body said on Thursday.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said car manufacturing rose by a yearly 15.5 per cent to 158,281 units.

"Particularly encouraging is the recent upturn in exports, which are higher than they were in 2014, reflecting growth in key overseas markets such as the rest of Europe," SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said.

Cars built for exports, which account for around three in four of all British-made models, rose 13.9 per cent to 117,307 units in September compared to the same month last year. Production for the British market rose by around 20 per cent.

REUTERS