Data shows that output in the month fell by 0.05% year on year, as 147,481 cars rolled off production lines.
Exports drove overall volumes, with output for overseas customers rising by 1.5% to a record 119,252 units.
The growth offset a decline in production for the UK market, which fell for the sixth consecutive month, by 6.0% to 28,229.
Says SMMT chief Mike Hawes: “While it is good to see global appetite for British-built cars reach record levels in January, this only reinforces the industry’s increasing reliance on overseas demand. Future growth will therefore depend on maintaining our current open trade links not just with Europe but with key international markets.
“A transitional deal will be an important first step but, in the long term, a seamless relationship between the UK and Europe must be maintained. The EU remains the third largest new car market in the world and, given it is on our doorstep, it is not surprising it accounts for more than half of our global exports.”
