British car manufacturing grows 1.2% in 2014
UK car manufacturing grew by 1.2% in 2014 despite a 0.5% fall in exports, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Factories in the UK built 1,528,148 cars – the highest output since 2007 – with almost 1.2 million (78.2%) of those finding homes abroad.
In comparison, 2013 saw 21,000 fewer cars built but 5,000 more cars were exported.
Although the number of units exported fell last year, the value of the UK’s exports has increased with manufacturers like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and Land Rover offering more expensive, desirable and UK-built vehicles to foreign customers. For the first time, the total value of the UK’s exported cars came to more than £25 billion.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Placed in context, a 1.2% growth in UK car manufacturing in 2014 represents a very successful year. The industry has overcome various challenges, including slower than expected EU recovery and weakness in some global markets.
“More than £7 billion of investment into UK production facilities has been announced in the past two years, and we are now seeing the effects as new models begin production.”
Business Secretary Vince Cable also passed comment: “From Sunderland to Goodwood, Britain is turning out cars that are in demand all around the world.
“The UK’s automotive industry is thriving with a new car rolling off the production line every 20 seconds, while increasing levels of investment are helping to secure local jobs.
“Through the government’s industrial strategy, we are backing the automotive industry as it goes from strength to strength.”
What we build:
Mini – Hatch, Clubman, Coupe and Roadster in Oxford
Honda - Civic, CRV and Jazz in Swindon
Toyota - Auris and Avensis in Derbyshire
Nissan - Juke, Qashqai, Note, Pulsar and Leaf in Sunderland
Jaguar - F-Type, XE, XJ, XF and XK in the West Midlands and Liverpool
Land Rover - Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Evoque, Freelander, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport in Solihull, West Midlands and Halewood, Liverpool
Aston Martin - DB9, Rapide, Virage, DBS and one-77 in Gaydon, Warwickshire
Bentley - Continental, Flying Spur and Mulsanne in Crewe
Rolls Royce - Ghost, Phantom and Wraith in Goodwood
MG - 3 and 6 at Longbridge, Birmingham
Lotus - Elise, Evora and Exige in Norfolk
Vauxhall - Astra at Ellesmere Port and the Vivaro van in Luton
Morgan - Aero, 4/4, Plus 4, Plus 8, Roadster, 4 seater, 3 wheeler
Caterham - Seven
Mclaren - MP4-12C and P1