By Carlo Martuscelli

 

British car production rose by 3.3% in August, the first recorded increase in 15 months, an industry body said Thursday.

The Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders said that 92,158 units rolled off of U.K. assembly lines in the month, up from 89,255 in the comparable period the year before.

The trade organization attributed the increase to a number of key factories producing throughout August after having moved forward a planned summer shutdown in preparation for Brexit.

Nevertheless, in the year to date total production is 17% below the levels reached at the same time in 2018.

"While growth is always welcome, today's figures mask the underlying downward trend and strengthening global headwinds facing the sector, including international trade tensions, massive technological upheaval and, in the UK, political and economic uncertainty," said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.

 

Write to Carlo Martuscelli at carlo.martuscelli@dowjones.com

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 25, 2019 19:15 ET (23:15 GMT)

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