Britain may have sold all of its mainstream auto brands to foreign companies, but the industry is well and thriving with car manufacturing up 14.1 percent to 756,116 units in the first half of 2012. In June, car output remained stable with a 0.7 percent drop to 119,193 cars, according to data provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Commercial vehicle output, however, fell 8.7 percent during the first half of 2012 and 19.7 percent in the month, while engine production was up 0.5 percent over the first six months, but down 15.1 percent in June
Overall, 812,212 cars and commercial vehicles were built in Britain from January through June, 2012, an increase of 12.1 percent over the same period last year.Of those vehicles, 81.2 percent or 659,502 units were exported.
“Despite dipping 0.7% in June, car production performed strongly during the first half of 2012, with output up 14.1%,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “The £5.8 billion investment committed to UK in the last two years provides long-term growth opportunities, but weakness in European demand may make the next few months a little bumpy.”
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