UK passenger car production saw a 1.3% drop to 137,502 units in June.

Year-to-date production figures were down 4.4% to 764,293 units.

“Over the first half of the year, UK car production totals stabilised at 2006 levels. The second quarter settled; down one per cent compared with a 7.7% decline in quarter one.

“However, output is expected to pick up in the second half of the year with growth coming from investment in new models across sites in the UK. Forecasts suggest 2007 should end level with 2006 at 1.44 million units, with nearly eight in 10 cars destined for export,” said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive.