UK Car Production Rises In November

Car production saw a 15.7 per cent rise in November compared with the same period a year ago, the first increase recorded in more than months, new figures show.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a total of 112,948 cars were manufactured in the UK during the month.

The first monthly rise since September 2008 indicates that the Government's "cash for bangers" car scrappage scheme has had a  positive impact on the motor industry.

However, commercial vehicle (CV) production was down by 16.2 per cent last month compared with the previous year.

Car production from January to November 2009 dropped by 34.4 per cent against the same period last year, while year-to-date CV production was down by 57.6 per cent compared to the last year.

Paul Everitt, chief executive at SMMT, said that the rise in car production during November reflected "the positive impact of scrappage schemes and economic stability in a number of major European markets".

He added: "It is essential that governments continue to sustain and strengthen economic recovery, improving access to credit and encouraging investment in new technologies and products."