Figures released for UK car output by the ONS and SMMT show it rose 1.7 per cent to 1,657,558 million units in 2003.

Production for export reached a record 69.2% share of total production, and December's output rose 15.4% to boost the year-end total.

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, “The UK is a major player in global car production and today's figures confirm that. With nine key manufacturers and a strong specialist sports car industry, Britain boasts a wider production base than any other European country. This continued growth is therefore particularly encouraging against a backdrop of falling output across continental Europe.”