UK car manufacturing is at its strongest since 2008, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In the first nine months of this year, 1,132,017 cars were produced at UK factories. The year-to-date figure represents a 0.6% increase compared to the same period last year.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “It is testament to the strength of the automotive industry that it continues to break records — yielding the best year-to-date performance for six years and comfortably surpassing one million units.”

However, car manufacturing actually fell 2.8% in September compared with a year earlier, with 137,068 cars made. The number was dragged down by cars built for export, which were down 8.1% at 102,947.

Cars made for the UK market, however, were up 17.7% at 34,121. Mr Hawes said; “The continued investment by the sector in new models means the September figures took a slight dip as some plants underwent re-tooling, but it is these same new models which will help increase production volumes in the future.”