UK car makers motoring ahead

BOOMING exports have helped UK car-makers motor ahead, with almost 78,000 vehicles rolling off production lines last month.

The figure was up a hefty 37% on last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, with almost three-quarters of cars made here destined for forecourts abroad.

Manufacturers such as Land Rover, Honda, Nissan and Mini benefited from a 51% surge in exports last month, with demand being particularly strong from customers in the USA, China and India.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said yesterday: “The UK is an important part of the global automotive industry, exporting cars, commercial vehicles and engines to markets around the world.”