UK Car manufacturing has celebrated its highest production output since 1999 after almost 170,000 vehicles rolled out of the nation’s factories during November.

A total of 169,247 vehicles were produced by UK production facilities during the month, taking year-to-date volumes to a 17-year high, with production in the first 11 months of the year rising to 1,613,495 units – almost 56,000 units ahead of 2015 as a whole.

SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, said: “These latest results are the product of significant investments made over the past few years, but which will continue only if we can maintain the competitive trading conditions that have enabled the UK to become an automotive success story.”

The SMMT reported that production for the UK market was particularly strong in November, rising 14% to 33,745 units. Exports were up 12.5%.

Year-to-date, output is up 4.2% for the domestic market with exports up 11.1% to 1,258,909.

Hawes said: “Made in Britain is a badge coveted by car buyers worldwide, and these latest figures highlight not just that international appeal but the fact that the UK is a globally competitive place to make cars.”