The UK automotive industry enjoyed a great year in 2012.
We all like to hear that the UK's car industry is in good condition – and new research has shown 2012 was a particularly encouraging year for the automotive sector.
Published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the report showed that last year not only saw the industry generating its highest-ever turnover, it also had promising results regarding environmental impact of products and processes.
The release is the 14th of its kind and judges the performance of the sector using numerous economic, environmental and social indicators.
It was shown that production and export volumes rose markedly during the 12 months, which brought in further investment, while automotive research and development expenditure climbed by nine per cent to reach £1.7 billion.
Automotive manufacturing hit a new high of £60 billion for the year, with total vehicle output escalating by eight per cent and all-time records broken with regard to car export volumes.
Mike Baunton, interim chief executive at SMMT, said: "UK automotive continues to support the country's economic recovery, with rising turnover, increased manufacturing output and record export volumes providing further proof of industry's ability to compete on a global scale."
Last year saw the motoring industry continuing to place a great emphasis on the environment. As a result of this focus, manufacturing CO2 emissions produced per vehicle dipped by three per cent, while a five per cent drop was recorded for energy use and an eight per cent reduction in waste to landfill.
Mr Baunton continued: "It is clear that our future is bright and that the environmentally-focussed approach that vehicle manufacturers have taken to improve manufacturing processes and products will support our continued economic success."
Good news also came in the form of improved employment figures for the industry, with jobs in the sector rising by two per cent to reach 146,000 last year, with the development of long-term training plans for current workers and attracting new talent set to be a driving factor in this area going forward.
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by Fred Mason