British car manufacturers demonstrated considerable strength in March, new figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have revealed.

According to the body's monthly update for March, UK car production increased by 9.8 per cent during the month in comparison to the same period of 2015, with a total of 159,074 cars built – one every 16 seconds.

Overseas demand for UK-built models witnessed the strongest levels of annual growth during the month (up 14.3 per cent), while demand from domestic purchasers remained relatively stable (down 1.2 per cent)

Furthermore, the latest data relating to productivity figures for 2015 as a whole showed that UK automotive employees generated a significant increase in value for the sector during the year, with an average of £79,700 per car produced.

Overall, this figure witnessed growth of 1.3 per cent year-on-year and means that employees in the sector are delivering roughly twice the national average in terms of their level of economic contribution.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes commented: "UK car plants were at their busiest for 12 years in March, with a vehicle rolling off production lines every 16 seconds thanks to heightened international demand for British-built cars.

"Much will depend on economic and political conditions in key markets but, with several brand new global models starting production here in the first quarter alone, the prospects for future growth look bright."