Automotive manufacturing turnover up 12%
Record levels of exports and increased investment helped the UK's automotive manufacturing industry increase its turnover by 12% in 2011, according to a report by the SMMT.
Independent forecasts also showed that manufacturing plants continued to make considerable progress in reducing their environmental impact, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill by 20% per vehicle and lowering water use and manufacturing CO2 emissions by 10% and 13% respectively.
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt commented: "Automotive is continuing to lead the country's economic recovery, increasing manufacturing output, delivering record turnover and exporting a greater proportion of cars than ever before, all while reducing our environmental footprint. In a tough economic climate, the automotive sector has continued to perform above expectations, demonstrating the significant role it has to play in a re-balanced economy."
Everitt went on to describe the sector as at the forefront of the drive to a low carbon economy. He commended its ability to attract investment in the research, development and manufacture of low and ultra-low carbon technologies and create new jobs and growth opportunities throughout the supply chain.
