LONDON:Car imports from India to the UK spiked last year with an 8.3 per cent hike in registration of Indian-built vehicles by buyers in Britain, authorities said today. While imports were strong, exports to India declined, according to the latest UK automotive industry figures released here.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found that the popularity of Indian-built cars marked a spike in the UK last year, with buyers in Britain registering 34,149.The decline follows investment by some manufacturers in local assembly, shipping components to India rather than fully assembled vehicles to operations there.
“It reflects more investments being made in India and capacity expansion in the country. Most companies prefer to build close to where they sell,” said Mike Hawes, chief executive of SMMT, one of the UK s largest trade associations.
