July 3, 2013: Production of vehicles in the UK rose by eight percent in 2012, according to data released by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

As well as revealing the general healthy state of Britain’s car industry, the figures also show that car export volumes in 2012 broke all-time records. The industry also spent more on development, with research and development expenditure increasing by nine percent to £1.7 billion (Rs 15,357 crore). Boosted by this growth, manufacturing jobs rose by two percent in the automotive sector, to 146,000.Despite the increases in output and employment, manufacturing emissions fell by three percent, while the amount of waste sent to landfill was down eight percent per vehicle produced. The UK is bucking the overall EU trend of poor sales, confirmed by news last week that sales across the EU have hit a 20-year low. So far in 2013 the UK has seen year-on-year growth of 9.3 per cent.

SMMT's interim chief executive, Mike Baunton 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." JAMES LEWIS-BARNED, AUTOCAR UK

Photograph: Range Rover plant, Solihull.