Overseas demand for engines made in England has increased sharply year on year, despite waning activity across the wider vehicle manufacturing sector, a new report reveals.
According to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), British car production is experiencing something of a rough patch, having fallen by -11 per cent in July, with exports also slightly down year-on-year.
However, demand for British-built engines remains remarkably strong overseas, with exports up by an impressive 14.5 per cent year-on-year and production on the rise, too.
1,030,304 units were exported in total in the year to July 2018, up from 900,071 during the same period last year, the figures reveal.
Meanwhile, SMMT’s data suggests that the commercial vehicle (CV) vehicle market also performed well over the course of the last year, thanks again to overseas demand driving production.
CV manufacturing output grew by 12.8 per cent in the 12 months to July, with a total of 7,331 trucks, coaches and other commercial vehicles built in Britain over the course of the year, the data reveals.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive at the SMMT, said: “It’s good to see previous significant investment into British engine technology and facilities continue to pay dividends, with strong and growing global demand for our high quality, cutting-edge products.
However, he warned that future growth would hinge largely on the UK’s ability to continue to enjoy “free and frictionless trade” with the European Union (EU) post-Brexit.
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