UK car manufacturing output rose by 2.8% to 132,570 in July, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

This takes the total for 2014 so far to 923,884 — up 3.4% compared with the same period last year.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The UK automotive industry continued its renaissance in July, with the month marking five million car exports since 2010 — the best-ever start to a decade.”

Of the 132,570 cars made last month, nearly 103,000 were for export. This is the highest ever July figure according to the SMMT, whose records date back to the 1920s.

It said that rising exports were due to new models being made in Britain and the increasing popularity overseas of premium and specialist brands such as those made by Jaguar Land Rover.

Mr Hawes said: “This is a major mile-stone and a testament to the burgeoning reputation of UK automotive excellence and the demand for British-made cars.” He added that the SMMT expects annual car production to beat 1972’s all-time high of 1.92 million by 2017.