Business

New-car build accelerates

THE number of cars built in the UK reached a seven-year high of more than 1.5 million in 2014, with a new car rolling off a production line every 20 seconds. A hugely successful year for the industry ended with the strongest December in a decade, with 108,000 cars produced last month. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said there was a 1.2 per cent increase in vehicle production in 2014 compared with the previous year. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Placed in context, a 1.2 per cent growth in UK car manufacturing in 2014 represents a very successful year. The industry has overcome various challenges, including slower than expected EU recovery and weakness in some global markets."