British car sales in China surge since 2009

Exports of Britain-built cars to China surged from 2009 to 2014, reflecting substantial growth in the wider Asian market, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed on Thursday.

In 2014, 137,410 Britain-built cars were exported to China, up from 19,417 in 2009, data from SMMT showed.

China became the second largest single market for British-built cars, only behind Britain in 2014, with exports to China greater than combined exports to Brazil, India and Russia.

Besides, the number of Britain-built car sales to Asia trebled in five years. In 2014, Britain exported 220,682 cars to Asia, compared to 60,804 in 2009.

Asia was the second largest export market for British automotive industry, behind Europe, said SMMT.

"Economic growth in Asia over the last five years has seen demand for new cars accelerate massively," said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

"The strength and importance of the Britain automotive sector to the Britain economy is self-evident and automotive exports at 11.2 percent are the highest share of Britain exports in history," said Hawes.