Mike Humble / SMMT

AUTOBRITANNIA recently reported that Jaguar Land Rover Group production figures are at a level where a huge recruitment drive is now taking place. Figures recently released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) have confirmed that car production in general in the UK has reached an all time high in six years.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “2013 demonstrated the value of the UK’s diverse car manufacturing industry, as surging home demand and robust exports outside Europe saw output grow 3.1% to over 1.5 million units. UK automotive investment announcements exceeded £2.5 billion in 2013, reinforcing industry analysts’ suggestions that the UK could break all-time car output records within the next four years.”

Some interesting statistics have shown the following:

• 2,264,737 cars registered in 2013, up 10.8% on 2012 and exceeding SMMT’s 2.25 million forecast for the year.
• 2013 hits highest annual registration total since 2007 as December achieves 22^nd consecutive monthly rise.

• On average, an additional 600 extra cars registered per day in 2013 than in the previous year.

• UK firmly secured as Europe’s second largest car market and only one to grow consistently throughout 2013.

• 2014 market expected to stabilise with sustainable growth of around 1% over the year.

But its not just passenger cars. Although Commercial vehicle production shrunk by 21% the Bus & Truck market has shown a similar trend with increased production numbers helped by growing order books here in the UK and for Export. An excellent reception has also been given to the new Euro6 range of DAF trucks – of which all RHD models are assembled at the Leyland plant in Lancashire.

Ballymena based Wrightbus have also just confimed a huge order of £70 million of PSV chassis. The bulk of which will be going to Aberdeen based Global transport provider First Group comprising of low and zero emission vehicles for 2014. This makes the Wrightbus market share rocket ove the same period last year partly thanks to the acclaimed Streelite.

Its certainly great news for all UK based motor manufacturing all round – and long may it continue!