British car production posted healthy growth in September, according to figures published by the SMMT.
Output rose 15.5% compared with September last year, with year-to-date volumes 3.3% up on the same period in 2015.
As seen in previous months, production for the UK market led the way with a gain of 20.1% – but new car exports were not far behind with a robust 13.9% increase in volumes.
September’s results follow latest industry projections that set British car manufacturing on track to achieve record production levels by 2020.
UK engine production rose 6.5% in September, with 224,917 units produced in the month.
It was the strongest month on month growth for exports this year, with overseas demand up 18.4% but production for UK models slipped over 10%.
The UK commercial vehicle industry more than doubled its output in September, says the SMMT.
With key new models now up to full production – and buoyed by the ongoing recovery in European market – output in the month increased 103.6% over September last year with 9,811 commercial vehicles built. Manufacturing for both domestic and export markets made strong gains, with volumes up 94.3% and 113.9% respectively.