Boom for car industry as output increases again
OUTPUT increased again in February, car industry figures showed yesterday, as exports continued to boom.
Car production jumped 23.5 per cent on the same month last year to 138,296 units in the month, with 113,252, or 81.9 per cent, of those made for export, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed.
That represents a 21.7 per cent rise in exports, and a 32.2 per cent rise in production for domestic use.
For the year so far, output is up 19.6 per cent to 265,675 units.
Commercial vehicle production was less successful, with output falling 2.7 per cent on last February, to 9,655.
Industry analysts believe that the strong growth overall masks certain weaknesses, including a lack of skilled engineers and constraints on debt and equity finance.