The SMMT data shows that UK car manufacturing in October rose 17.4% to 160,854 units, the largest monthly increase so far this year, supported by strong domestic demand.

The latest figures bring the total YtD production figure to 1,286,287 cars, a rise of 5.4%.

In response, Leech said: ‘UK car production grew by 17.4 percent in October 2013 with year-to-date production up by 5.4%. This is in contrast to Germany, France, Italy and Spain which have seen production levels decline in 2013.

‘The industry is confident that demand from the eurozone is just now starting to recover and that UK and emerging market demand will continue to be very strong in the short-term. 

‘The current production run rate is back at pre-recession levels last seen in 2008. Our forecast is that UK car production will continue to rise in 2014, 2015 and 2016 before peaking in 2017 at 1.9 million vehicles.’