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British car production fell last year to its lowest level in over a decade, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Slightly more than 1.4 million cars were built in the UK in 2006, which was down by nearly a tenth on last year's production figure and in fact lower than any yearly total since 1993.

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December was a particularly barren, with less than 85,000 cars manufactured during this month, accounting for less than six per cent of the total for the year and down by over 11 per cent on the same month in 2005.

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan commented: "As host to eight volume car manufacturers and more specialist car makers than any other European country, the UK remains a key supplier to world demand.

"However, although in 2006 we saw increased investment in the British motor industry by some global motor giants, it was not enough to offset the impact of continued restructuring across the production base."

The UK's primary status in this sector as an exporter was confirmed, with more than three out of four cars made in 2006 shipped off to be sold overseas, compared to slightly less than three quarters the year before.

Meanwhile, less than 336,000 models were produced for domestic consumption last year, down by about a fifth from 2005 and indeed at its lowest level in two decades.

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