UK car and engine exports drop significantly as car industry gears up for 'strong year'

Motortrades Insight Magazine Online About Us Contact Us

Home Finance Reviews Under The Hood Motorsport Business Profiles Archive Related Tags: UK Car Sales, UK Car Manufacturing, Ford Fiesta, Exports, Ford Focus, Engine Export, Commercial Vehicle, SMMT, SMMT January, HGV, under the hood UK car and engine exports drop significantly as car industry gears up for 'strong year' By: Danny Hewitt Ref:A00109 Published: 21 February 2013 THE NUMBER of UK-built cars made in January increased by 1,499 compared to the same period last year - a modest increase of only 1.2 per cent to 129,049."Output is typically subdued in January as manufacturers extend holiday periods to upgrade plants and re-tool for new models," explained Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive. "Despite ongoing economic challenges, growing demand for UK-built products in emerging global markets coupled with major new investment is paving the way for a positive year for automotive manufacturing." Ford Focus

The Ford Fiesta was once again a big hit, unsurprisingly being January's number one bestseller with 7,906 people snapping up the small car after Christmas.While 83.4 per cent of these cars were sent abroad last year, the figure is only 79.1 per cent this year. But independent analysts have said overall car output could grow up to one third larger by 2016 to in excess of two million vehicles annually. Ford Focus

The Nissan Qashqai was a runaway success at number five with 4,280 sales. Ford Focus

The Nissan Juke proved quirky enough for a New Year's present. Dealerships parted ways with 2,522. Ford Focus

With an increasing number of more affluent people in the UK, the tenth bestselling car was the Mercedes C-Class, with 2,356 new owners in January. Meanwhile, commercial vehicles continue to suffer, with only 7,822 produced in January compared to 9,844 last year, a staggering drop of 20.5 per cent so it should come as no surprise if manufacturers and suppliers have a gloomy look on their faces at The Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham this April. From lightweight vans to heavy trucks, minibuses and luxury coaches, commercial vehicles make a big impact on the UK economy. "UK registrations of trucks were strong through most of 2012, but dropped off in the final quarter impacting output," Mr Baunton said. "Domestic demand for buses and coaches grew significantly through 2012 on the back of government incentives and a wider focus on public transport." Ford Focus

As expected, with vehicle output low throughout Europe in January, the number of engines also dropped from 231,525 last year to 219,757 - a drop of 11,768. Despite this, it is expected to grow significantly over the spring, after the Geneva Motor Show, which will showcase a significant number of new car models and concepts. EXPORTS: Of the UK-built engines produced in January last year, 63.9 per cent were made for export compared to 60.8 per cent last month, a depressing sign for the government at a crucial time when the country is attempting to grow its weak economy. And if that was not gloomy enough, van, truck and coach builders who rely on exports will be hiding behind closed doors today, with 37.2 fewer exported commercial vehicles compared to last year: 3,626 (46.4 per cent of total commercial vehicles built) compared to 5,778 (58.7 per cent of commercial vehicles built) in 2012. Ford Focus

With a drop of 12.3 per cent in exports, cash flow is at an all-time low for some commercial vehicle makers which could lead to an increase in the number of loans some manufacturers and distributors use to stay afloat. Meanwhile, the number built for the UK market increased slightly to 4,196 from 4,066. And while HGV giant Volvo took a huge hit in Europe and the UK last month due to a 'sluggish economic environment', their sales in Brazil increased by 46 per cent, suggesting it could become a positive growth market for UK exports in the future. "The increase in industrial activity combined with favourable financing rates contributed to an uptick in the Brazilian market," explained a Volvo Trucks spokeswoman. Ford Focus

Female HGV drivers are becoming a more common sight. But despite the gigantic drops, the industry is gearing up for a strong year, bringing in an array of new innovations and more models with emissions below 100g/km. Related Articles // More Like This dummy

Britain’s automotive industry urges chancellor for long-term support, after UK car manufacturing dips As the Chancellor of the Exchequer considers the next Spending Round, the UK automotive industry has called for long-term strategic support to match the ambitions and priorities of the forthcoming A dummy

Overweight drivers destroying costly efforts to improve fuel efficiency They may wish to save money on their car costs but obesity is having an adverse impact on motorists.But for every additional 7st in a car, fuel economy will drop by two per cent. A Ford Fiesta which dummy

Ford begins production of Fiesta ST Ford has started production at its assembly plant in Cologne, Germany, of the new Ford Fiesta ST - the first production Fiesta to record a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of under seven seconds.Develop 123 « Previous Article Next Article »

News 24/7 MotorTrades Insight are now official news providers for NewsNow. Top Stories // This Week energy-efficiency-in-the-motoring-industry-latest-infrared-paint-drying-systems-can-save-bodyshops-thousands-on-utility-bills

Energy efficiency in the motoring industry: latest infrared paint drying systems can save bodyshops thousands on ut. The latest infrared paint drying systems look set to establish new benchmarks for energy saving and efficiency throughput levels. “Most indigenous spraybooths take five minutes to warm up, requ... bridgestone-potenza-s007-tyres-selected-for-ferrari-f12berlinetta

Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres selected for Ferrari F12berlinetta . Bridgestone has developed a new super sports car tyre, the Potenza S007, as original equipment for the 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta. Delivery of the tyre, size 255/35 ZR20, to the Ferrari factory... nissan-x-trail-makes-global-debut-at-frankfurt-motor-show

Nissan X-Trail makes global debut at Frankfurt Motor Show. Nissan President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, has unveiled the New Nissan X-Trail at the Frankfurt Motor Show.Nissan's ongoing mission to deliver innovation and excitement for everyone took another step f... millions-of-young-drivers-clueless-about-engine-oil

Millions of young drivers clueless about engine oil. New research has revealed that as many as 21.8 million motorists in the UK do not know that their engine oil expires. A new study by Kwik Fit has found that a whopping two thirds 65 per cent of... nissan-to-have-affordable-driverless-cars-on-sale-within-seven-years

Nissan to have affordable driverless cars on sale within seven years. Nissan today announced that the company will be ready with multiple, commercially-viable Autonomous Drive vehicles by 2020. Nissan announced that the company's engineers have been carrying out ... ferrari-458-speciale-set-for-frankfurt-motor-show-debut

Ferrari 458 Speciale set for Frankfurt Motor Show debut. The 458 Speciale is the latest product of Ferrari’s core philosophy of extreme technological innovation and research which, in this instance, has yielded powertrain, aerodynamics and vehicle dynamic... more-effort-needed-by-councils-to-reduce-potholes

More effort needed by councils to reduce potholes. Councils need to commit to long term funding to see progress with the UK’s pothole crisis, according to road safety charity IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). The IAM recently surveyed loc... lord-drayson-set-to-beat-sub-1000kg-electric-car-world-land-speed-record-on-bonneville-salt-flats

Lord Drayson set to beat sub-1000kg electric car world land speed record on Bonneville Salt Flats. Technology entrepreneur, former UK science minister and racing driver Lord (Paul) Drayson is bringing his spectacular Drayson B12 69/EV electric Le Mans Prototype racing car to the Bonneville Salt F... european-union-funded-powerdriver-project-reaches-crucial-stage-in-turning-waste-heat-into-electricity

European Union funded PowerDriver project reaches crucial stage in turning waste heat into electricity. The European Union funded PowerDriver project - a two-year research project initiated in February 2012 - has reached a crucial stage.The PowerDriver project is a collaborative research initiative in... toyota-yaris-r-concept-to-make-world-debut-at-frankfurt-motor-show

Toyota Yaris-R concept to make world debut at Frankfurt Motor Show. Frankfurt Motor Show will mark the world debut of the new Yaris Hybrid-R concept.According to Toyota, it has been created as a showcase for possible future hybrid development ideas that ‘can deliver... cooper-reveals-high-performance-tyre-that-provides-better-grip-comfort-and-fuel-economy

Cooper reveals high performance tyre that provides better grip, comfort and fuel economy. Cooper Tire Europe has announced its new ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre – the Cooper Zeon CS Sport. Designed with 'the true driving enthusiast in mind', the CS Sport is said to offer better ... Company Info // Get in Touch © Motortrades Insight Limited 2012 - 2013 Tel: 0844 656 1808 Email: accounts@motortradesinsight.co.uk Motortrades Insight Limited trading as motortradesinsight.co.uk Registered Address The Coach House Baddow Park West Hanningfield Road Great Baddow Chelmsford Essex CM2 7SY Company Reg: 07302221 VAT No: 120173663 Links // On The Web >> >> Subscribe to Mailing List >> Advertise on Motortrades Insight >> Motorsport News >> >> Motoring Industry News >> Blog >> Used Car Buyers Guide >> Link To Us >> Ratecard >> Privacy Policy >> Terms and Conditions Twitter // Follow Us Cookies on Motortrades Insight

Like many popular websites, Motortrades Insight uses some third party widgets that may set and may have already set cookies, for example the Twitter feed on our homepage. For more information see our cookie policy. By clicking close and continue you agree to our use of cookies.