Currently reading: UK car production up 64.8%
Biggest monthly rise since May 1976

UK car production was up 64.8 per cent year on year in January, the highest monthly rise since May 1976.

A total of 101,190 cars were produced in the UK last month, although January 2009 was a particularly bleak month for production due to the factory shutdowns caused by falling sales and the recession.

The SMMT’s chief executive Paul Everitt believes the figures have been boosted by the scrappage incentive scheme, but warns the sharp rise is unlikely to be maintained over the rest of the year.

“Vehicle production rose for a third successive month in January, demonstrating the continued success of global scrappage incentive schemes,” said Everitt.

“Despite the close of the UK scheme next month, SMMT expects a modest recovery in 2010 output as economic growth, a competitive exchange rate and the introduction of innovative new models to UK plants help to lift manufacturing levels above those seen in 2009.”

Of the 101,190 cars produced in the UK last month, 73,053 were exported.

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