Data shows a total of 147,922 cars were produced last month compared with 137,552 in January 2016. This was the best January performance since 2008, the SMMT said.
It added that export demand was strong. A total of 117,916 British built cars were shipped overseas last month compared with 106,441 in the same month last year – an increase of 10.8%.
But, production for customers in the UK fell 3.6%, with 30,006 vehicles built last month compared with 31,111 in the same month last year.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “UK car manufacturing made a very positive start to the year, carrying on the strong performance from 2016.
“These latest results highlight, once again, the export-led nature of our industry and the global appeal of our products.”
He continued: “Future growth will depend upon maintaining our competitiveness, not least in terms of securing a future trade deal with the EU that allows us tariff-free access to our biggest market and the ability to move goods freely, unimpeded by any bureaucratic restrictions.”
UK car manufacturing makes a ‘very positive start’ to 2017
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Car manufacturing in the UK had a successful start to 2017 with output up 7.5% in January compared with the same month last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has said.
