Last month saw the best vehicle production output in the UK since 2002, according to the SMMT.

Car production soared by 37.3 per cent year-on-year to just over 100,000 units.

The production of commercial vehicles recorded an even higher increase, rising by 49 per cent to 13,032 units. Year-to-date volumes are now marginally ahead of the same period last year with 1.13 million units produced – equivalent to a 1 per cent increase. “August is usually a quiet month for vehicle production due to holiday working patterns but this year it saw the best volume output since 2002,' said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. “The gains in the month were seen across both home and export markets - with three out of every four cars made so far this year in the UK, destined for overseas markets.” The trade body expects full-year volumes to edge slightly ahead of 2006.