UK car production data boosts confidence
Car production from UK factories rose by 8.5% to 136,111 in November, pushing the figure for the 11 months of the year so far to 1.25m – up 6.1%.
Meanwhile, commercial vehicle output, a bellwether of business confidence, rose by 2.2% to 11,380 in November, but was down 2.3% to 111,743 over the January-November period.
UK engine production rose by 1.7% in November and is up 5.3% over the year to date.
Paul Everitt (pictured), chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which produces the output data, said that UK vehicle and engine production continued to lead a manufacturing recovery. "Despite the challenges in the eurozone, the UK motor industry expects further growth in 2012. Global vehicle manufacturers have committed more than £4bn of investment into the UK motor industry, boosting confidence in the sector and securing high value jobs for the long-term."
