Welcome boost in UK car manufacturing
UK car production rose by 21.3% for the first quarter of 2014 to 133,437 units, the largest monthly rise for the industry since July 2012.
Rolls Royce Wraith
Also year-to-date volumes increased 6.9%, with January-April exports up 8.7%. An upturn in demand is good news for the thousands of suppliers and employees that rely on the industry.
Good news also for new car registrations as they rose by 8.2% in April to 176,820 units, the 26th consecutive month of growth. It appears UK economic confidence continues to improve still further and the market trend is accelerating upwards. Exports of output rose 2.9% in April to 217,599 units, as year-to-date volumes remain stable. April’s growth powered by production for export, climbed 12.6% in the month. European market recovery and investment in new UK facilities appear to bode well for the industry’s future.
The thriving nature of the UK car manufacturing industry was further underlined by luxury car maker Aston Martin’s plans to create 250 jobs, bulking up its workforce and extending its UK manufacturing facilities. The new engineering, manufacturing and commercial jobs will be created over the next few months. Aston Martin will also invest £20 million to extend its manufacturing facility at Gaydon in Warwickshire.
With its eye firmly on safeguarding the future Bentley will recruit 51 new apprentices the biggest single apprentice intake in 10 years. Forty of these will be part of a new dedicated manufacturing scheme focused on strengthening core skills, as Bentley expands its brand and adds an SUV to its current offering.
Bentley’s new manufacturing apprentice approach sees the introduction of dual education; this is a tailored method to vocational training based on competence profiles and dedicated placements within chosen professional areas in manufacturing.