British motor industry on a roll

Exports of vehicles from

Britain reached a new

high in 2015, with British

manufacturers making

more cars than in any year

since 2005, according

to the Society of Motor

Manufacturers and Traders

(SMMT).

Production increased

3.9% year-on-year, with

output at 1 587 677,

overtaking pre-recession

levels for the first time.

A record number of

cars – representing 77.3%

of production – was for

export, with 1 227 881

units destined to leave the

UK, up 2.7% on 2014.

Challenges were

experienced in some global

markets such as China

and Russia, but economic

recovery in Europe boosted

demand for UK-built cars.

In 2015 exports to

Europe grew by 11.3%.

Production for the home

market grew 8.1% on the

previous year, with one in

seven new cars registered

in the UK in 2015 being

made in Britain.