European demand helps fuel 12% growth in UK car output, says KPMG
The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that UK car production rose to 142,158 units last month, bring year-to-date growth to 2.9. The SMMT added that the industry is on track for record production levels by 2017.
John Leech, KPMG’s UK head of automotive, said: ‘The 12% growth in the number of cars made in the UK in March 2014 has been driven by strong demand in all major markets.
‘In the last couple of years demand from UK and emerging market consumers has driven the growth in UK car production, but now EU consumers are also buying more cars made in Britain.’
Leech said the Nissan Qashqai, BMW MINI and Range Rover Sport had been successfully launched in the last few months and he now expected strong year on year growth in UK car production for the rest of 2014.
‘With exciting new model launches planned over the next three years, including the new Vauxhall Astra and Jaguar XE, I am confident that car production will continue to rise towards 2 million vehicles in 2017 and a huge £8 billion trade surplus,’ he added.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
