Cars manufactured in Britain are becoming more British.
Around 44% of parts used to make UK cars now come from UK suppliers, according to a New Automotive Council Study. This represents a 3% rise since 2015.
Best of British? Image: Martin Pettitt |
The start of the production process of car manufacturing is where most of the value lies.
UK car parts makers have been boosting turnover by £3.7bn since 2011 and there is a long-term trend in manufacturers moving parts of their supply chains back to their home economies, known as reshoring. This follows years of decline in UK automotive manufacturing.
A 17-year high in 2016 saw more than 1.7m vehicles manufactured, a rise of more than 72% since 2009. Turnover has increased from £9bn at the start of 2011 to £12.7bn today – a 41% uplift.
Sourcing parts locally and the manufacture of exhausts, large pressings, small pressings and plastics have all contributed to the changing picture, according to the report.