Car production keeps rising as industry recovers

Car production in Britain was up again last month, rising 44% on April last year.

A total of 98,290 cars were made in April, with the increase emphasising just how deeply the motor industry was in recession in the first months of last year.

Commercial vehicle production also rose sharply, increasing 40.8% to 10,777, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said.

Car production for the year so far is 64.9% up on the total for January to April last year, while CV production in the first four months of this year is 44.3% up. Engine production rose 38.2% in April and is up 41% over the first four months.

Car production for the home market rose a huge 150.5% last month, while CV production for the home market rose 102.4%.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said the April figures reflected "a good start to the second quarter of 2010".

"A number of UK product launches and the introduction of new technologies are helping to sustain demand despite an expected slowdown following the end of the scrappage scheme.

"The home market saw a significant increase in the month, a positive indication of a strengthening economy and an improvement in consumer confidence."