17-year high in car production

CAR production in Britain hit a 17-year high last month as the weak pound boosted exports, industry figures show.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said 153,041 cars rolled off UK production lines in February. That was up 8pc on the same month last year and the best February since 2000.

Exports jumped 13.4pc to 118,898 amid booming demand. The figures follow a CBI report showing optimism among UK manufacturers is at a 22-year high.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the rise in car production ‘illustrates the continuing global popularity of British-built vehicles and the export-led nature of the industry’.