British car production in the three months leading up to February fell significantly in comparison with the previous quarter, new figures show.

Data from the Office of National Statistics indicates that car production fell by 5.7 per cent across the two quarters.

Overall production for the domestic market dropped by nine per cent, while exports dropped by 4.5 per cent.

While there was some heartening news in the commercial vehicle sector, where production climbed by 1.1 per cent, total UK vehicle production was down 7.5 per cent in February.

Car production is now more than ten per cent down on the level reached last year, as industry observers charted the impact of the cessation of production at MG Rover's Longbridge plant.

"As we near the anniversary of the closure of production at MG Rover, car production figures for the UK continue to be affected by this loss," commented SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan.

"Over three-quarters of the 8.6 per cent drop in February can be attributed to Longbridge."

Nevertheless Mr Macgowan welcomed improvements in efficiency and "strong export demand" in the commercial vehicles sector, describing production in the UK as "healthy".



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