§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with representatives of the car industry on exports of UK built(a) cars, (b) vans and (c) trucks. [148419]
§ Jacqui SmithI have frequent discussions with individual automotive manufacturers and with the SMMT, covering a broad range of issues touching on the competitiveness of the automotive industry, including those which impact on exports. It has been pleasing to see that manufacturers in the UK have in general been very successful in improving their export performance over recent years, often in markets which have been particularly tough.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the number of new UK built(a) cars, (b) vans and (c) trucks exported in each of the last three years. [148473]
§ Jacqui SmithA breakdown of UK vehicle production for export is attached. The light commercial vehicle figure comprises vans, and also van-derived minibuses. Full figures for 2003 are yet to be published, but the table includes an estimate based on published data to end-November.
Cars Light CVs Heavy CVs Buses 2000 1,062,990 71,667 4,220 294 2001 894,204 91,127 4,776 321 2002 1,047,668 109,308 4,702 225 2003 estimate 1,137,000 96,700 4.200 200