British car production hits 14-year high

UK car production rose to its highest output in 14 years in August, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), thanks to higher domestic and overseas demand.

Automotive production surged 9.1% year-on-year to 109,004, the industry body said on Thursday, of which 81,200 were manufactured for export.

The export figures were up 10.2% on the same month last year, with domestic demand picking up 6.2%.

Although it was felt to be "too early to tell", there has so far been limited impact from Britain’s decision to leave the EU, the SMMT said.

But chief executive Mike Hawes said: "Future success depends on continued investment in plant and products and that in turn depends on the UK maintaining internationally competitive business and trading conditions."

The SMMT said that for the year to August 2016, car production had increased 11.1% to a total of 1.7 million vehicles.