UK car production rose in April, with demand showing 5.2% year-on-year growth according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

127,952 cars were built in British factories this April, whereas a double-digit decline in the same month last year was attributed to the timing of the Easter bank holiday.

The 5.2% growth, however, was also buoyed by production ramp-up at several plants to deliver a number of new and updated models.

Manufacturing for both home and overseas markets grew by 7.3% and 4.7% respectively, with 103,662 cars built for export in April, accounting for 81.0% of production.

However, overall output in the first four months of 2018 was down by 3.9%, with a total of 568,378 cars leaving production lines.

Four fifths of these were exported, as domestic demand fell by10.3%, while there was a 2.2% decline in the number of vehicles destined for global markets.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes (www.smmt.co.uk) said: “While April’s growth isn’t altogether surprising, given the significant decline in output this time last year, it is good to see earlier planned investment in new models delivering results.”

Meanwhile, Britain’s engine production hit record-breaking levels, with the 1 million mark being exceeded in the first four months of a year for the first time on record.

A total of 1,013,456 units were produced in this period, with 232,400 in April — up 17.3% on April 2017.