UK car exports in February drives monthly production to 153,041 units
On March 23, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) announced that growth in demand for British-built cars led to the best February for UK car production in 17 years, increasing 8.0% over the previous year to 153,041 units.
Exports grew 13.4% to 118,898 units in February 2017 as units for domestic consumption fell 7.4% to 34,143 units.
In the first two months of 2017, exports of UK-made cars grew 12.1%, with 236,834 units shipped abroad, offsetting a decrease in domestic demand of 5.6% to 64,170.
Production of commercial vehicles in the month declined 6.3% from February 2016 to 7,940 units.
Similar to car production, exports grew 15.6% to 5,147 units as production for domestic consumption fell 30.5% to 2,793 units.
Combined commercial vehicle production for the first two months of 2017 grew 1.3% to 15,442 units.
Engine production for February 2017 grew 3.0% from last year to 237,803 units, as exports increased 5.5% to 135,944 units and domestic production decreased 0.1% to 101,859 units.
Overall engine production for the first two months of 2017 increased 7.3% to 472,879 units.