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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) 15th annual Automotive Sustainability Report points to significant improvements in the environmental performance by the UK’s major vehicle and component manufacturers.

The latest Sustainability Report is based on data for 2013 and finds the UK automotive industry is in excellent economic, environmental and social shape.In terms of environmental performance, the Sustainability Report highlights major reductions in CO2 output and waste sent to landfill by manufacturing sites. Carmakers in the UK now put just 3.5kg of waste into landfill per car produced. This represents a 91.3% reduction on the figure 15 years ago when reporting began.  Over the same period there has been a 26% fall in energy use by manufacturers per vehicle produced in last 15 years.

The sector’s job creation during 2013 is estimated at 44,000 new jobs. 14,000 of these jobs were in manufacturing. UK automotive manufacturing turnover which grew 10.3% to top £64 billion.  Investment in research and development grew 9.7% since 2012 to £1.9 billion a year.

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes commented “The UK automotive industry contributes hugely to the country’s economic health by building millions of vehicles, engines and components here every year and employing hundreds of thousands of people.  The progress made by the industry over the past year alone is hugely important. Growing our skills base and encouraging more automotive suppliers to base their businesses in the UK is now essential for us to maintain this positive momentum.”

The investment boom coupled with the rate of growth and demand for specialist skills has created a challenging environment for manufacturers who need to recruit recruit and up-skill staff to meet demand.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders supports the interests of the UK automotive industry promoting a united position to government, stakeholders and the media.

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