To be more specific, November car production rose by 15.7% to 112,948 vehicles, thanks to the current revised scrapping scheme but the general figure was negatively influenced by the 16.2 % decrease (9,186 units) in the commercial vehicle segment. The situation is relatively similar for the country’s November automotive exports: car exports rose by 6.1% to 88,172 units, following the ascending sales trend set by European scrappage schemes, while commercial exports were down 16.2% to 6773 units.
"November saw the first increase in UK car production since September 2008, reflecting the positive impact of scrappage schemes and economic stability in a number of major European markets," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt.
Unfortunately, the year to date statistics couldn’t be more different: UK general car production was down 37.2% to 997,525 vehicles, with a car output down 34.4% to 914,117 units and commercial vehicles off 57.6% to 83,408 units. The car exports sector was off 35.7% to 695,561 while commercial exports were down 49.4% to 61,331.
“Weak demand in key sectors of the economy and fragile business confidence continues to stall recovery in commercial vehicle output. Production volumes have fallen in every month since September 2008," Paul Everitt adds, explaining the grim situation in the commercial sector.
"Total vehicle production is still well below previous levels and 2010 is set to be another tough year with considerable uncertainty at home and abroad. It is essential that governments continue to sustain and strengthen economic recovery, improving access to credit and encouraging investment in new technologies and products," the executive concluded.
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