Britain’s car industry is really motoring again.
Car production hit a 17-years high in 2016 with exports at record levels and 1.35M shipped worldwide.
Half of those went to Europe while Americans took nearly 50% more than they did in 2015 and it became the UK’s biggest single consumer country.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders covered the UK’s 15 manufacturers.
Top ten British best-sellers worldwide were:
Qashqai, Auris, MINI, Astra, RR Sport, RR Evoque, LR Discovery Sport, Civic, Jaguar F-Pace and Jaguar XE.
Domestic demand for UK built cars also grew last year, up 2.4% in the year, and the UK remains the second largest car market in Europe, again after Germany.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The tremendous growth in UK production is testament to the global competitiveness of the UK automotive sector.
“High class engineering, advanced technology and a workforce committed to quality have helped turn around the industry, making the UK among the most productive places in Europe to make cars.”
Also, UK engine makers turned out 2,545,608 units last year, 7.5% above the previous 12 months, with half destined for British roads.