South: SMMT reports healthy car export growth
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that UK car manufacturing has continued to make significant gains, with export volumes up 23.7% in April.
Almost 150,000 cars were built in the month, a 16.4% increase on last April, and the ninth consecutive month of growth. 588,024 cars have been built so far in 2016, a 10.8% rise over the same period last year.
Increasing overseas demand for British-built cars was again the driving force behind the growth, with the export jump more than counterbalancing a 7.8% decline in cars made for the domestic market.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Britain’s car manufacturing sector continues to thrive with a steady domestic market and surging demand from overseas, including our biggest export destination, Europe.”