UK car exports to China increase seven-fold
In 2014,137,410 UK-built cars were exported to China, an increase of 14.5% over 2013. China is now the largest single market for British-built cars after the UK.
The trend in China reflects substantial growth in the wider Asian market, with the number of UK-built cars exported to Asia having more than trebled in five years.
The SMMT said that economic growth in a number of Asian markets such as China has led to an increased demand for high-quality and luxury vehicles and added that the UK has a rich heritage of producing premium vehicles which it has taken advantage of in recent years. Significant investment in brands such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren and Rolls-Royce, mean that 60% of all UK-built models on offer are from premium manufacturers.
Overall, the UK exported 1,195,190 cars to more than 100 countries worldwide last year, marking a 54.7% increase over 2009, when 772,210 cars were exported.
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.
