Currently reading: UK car manufacturing rises in February
Output is significantly up for 2012, while registrations are stable and the Focus is best-seller

Car manufacturing in the UK is significantly up in 2012 compared with the previous year, thanks to increased demand from overseas and growth in the UK's engine-building industry, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This contrasts with domestic car sales, which have decreased very slightly.

SMMT figures reveal that in 2012, 23.5 per cent more cars were built in February compared with the same month last year, meaning output is up 19.6 per cent for the year to date.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said the figures show a "trend of strong export-led growth, confirming the importance of manufacturing to a rebalanced and prosperous economy. The UK automotive sector continues to attract investment and generate new jobs."

Everitt also appealed for government help to maintain growth. He said, "Despite recent success there can be no complacency and it is essential the Chancellor uses next week’s Budget to deliver on its growth strategy and boost the UK’s competitiveness by encouraging private sector investment in R&D, capital equipment and skills.”

Engine-building in the UK increased 3.6 per cent in February, contributing to a 4.3 per cent rise for the year so far.

The increases are in contrast to stagnant car sales, which are down 0.8 per cent for 2012 following a 2.5 per cent fall in February when 61,868 new cars were registered. Private sales bolstered that total following an increase of 2.1 per cent for the year to date, while March will provide a better indicator to market trends with around 350,000 12-plate registrations expected during the traditional sales hump.

Ford was the industry's biggest winner in February, achieving over 1400 more sales than the same month last year, partly due to strong performance of the Focus, which became the UK's best-selling car following 11 months at the top for the Fiesta.

Richard Webber

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Dark Isle 15 March 2012

Re: UK car manufacturing rises in February

Looks like they refreshed the Phantom just in time.

curious_insider 15 March 2012

Re: UK car manufacturing rises in February

Maxycat wrote:
curious_insider wrote:
This is good news, however you have to look into the figures to understand how this is made up; the answer is mostly by good performances from JLR, Bentley, Mini, Honda and Nissan to varying degrees of success, tempered by poor outputs from Aston Martin, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Vauxhall who are all showing significantly lower outputs than last year.

Rolls Royce sales in 2011 were up by 31% compared with 2010. Year 2010 sales were up by 150% 0n year 2009 sales. All figures are total worldwide sales from the BBC website

Different figures, we're comparing 2011 with 2012.

Today's SMMT figures for Rolls Royce

Feb 2012 269 cars

Feb 2011 320

% -15.9

YTD 2012 415

YTD 2011 542

% -23.4


Maxycat 15 March 2012

Re: UK car manufacturing rises in February

curious_insider wrote:
This is good news, however you have to look into the figures to understand how this is made up; the answer is mostly by good performances from JLR, Bentley, Mini, Honda and Nissan to varying degrees of success, tempered by poor outputs from Aston Martin, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Vauxhall who are all showing significantly lower outputs than last year.

Rolls Royce sales in 2011 were up by 31% compared with 2010. Year 2010 sales were up by 150% 0n year 2009 sales. All figures are total worldwide sales from the BBC website