U.K. Car Production Drops 11%

New-vehicle production in the U.K. dropped 11% to 117,700 units in July as holiday patterns caused the traditional summer shutdown period to begin earlier this year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports.

July's decline reduced cumulative output in January-July 1% to 911,300 vehicles. SMMT says new-model launches due later this year should restore volume.

The output of British car plants has been relatively flat this year. July sales expanded only 3% compared with 7% for the first half of 2014. SMMT has predicted "more stable growth" in the second half of the year.