THE number of cars produced fell fractionally last month, but the motor industry expects manufacturing to pick up next year, a report has said.

A total of 137,347 cars were made in the UK in November 2014, which was a 0.2 per cent fall on the figure for the same month in 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed.

Production totalled just under 1.42 million in the first 11 months of this year, a 0.3 per cent drop on the January-November 2013 figure.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Model changes and economic uncertainty in export markets have flattened UK car production, but the industry remains in a strong position, with growth expected to return next year.

"Global demand for UK automotive engineering continues to be at a high level, and plants are seeing the benefits of significant recent investments."

The industry is well supported by Sunderland-based Nissan, with its Qashqai model a major seller.

Last month, the firm celebrated making its two millionth Qashqai in the region.