UK car production achieves 17-year high in 2016

On January 26, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders announced that UK car production achieved a 17-year high in 2016, with 1,722,698 vehicles assembled by 15 manufacturers, an increase of 8.5% from 2015.
Ten new car models began production in the UK in 2016, nine of them from premium brands.
The UK is the second biggest producer of premium cars after Germany and the third biggest car producer in Europe.
Total committed investment announcements in the UK automotive sector in 2016 were approximately GBP 1.7 billion, down from GBP 2.5 billion in 2015.
Production growth was predominantly driven by exports which rose 10.3% to an all-time high of 1,354,216 units.
Approximately 80% of UK vehicle production is exported to 160 markets worldwide.
Exports to the rest of the EU grew 7.5% to 758,680 units, accounting for more than half of all UK car exports.
Exports to the U.S. market increased 47.2%, accounting for 14.5% of all UK car exports.
Notable increases for exports were also seen for Turkey, Japan and Canada.
Domestic demand for UK built cars increased 2.4% in 2016.
Commercial vehicle manufacturing remained steady in 2016 as 93,924 vans, trucks, buses and coaches were built in Britain in 2016, with 58.4% of production exported.
UK engine manufacturing grew 7.5% in 2016, to 2,545,608 units, driven by domestic demand with 1,124,947 engines built for the home market.

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