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MOTOR EXPORT SURPLUS 61.6m
Page 6
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BRITAIN'S motor industry showed a surplus of exports over imports of E1,600 million in 1976, said Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders president David Plastow on Tuesday.
Mr Plastow was welcoming Economic Community president Roy Jenkins and the Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament to a reception in Strasbourg.
He said that Britain's, failures in trade were well documented but the successes were sometimes overlooked.
Mr Plastow pointed out that the motor industry accounted for seven per cent of the British gross domestic product and employed 500,000 workers.
But he warned that the improvements shown by the European motor industries during 1976 were not likely to be the beginning of a new upward trend, but might instead be evidence of many vehicle users who have delayed buying vehicles, now having to do so through economic necessity.
The motor industry was interested in establishing close contacts with the European institutions that could affect the state of competitiveness and the prosperity of the industry.
Mr Plastow said that sound working relationships were being established with civil servants in Brussels. It was the intention of the British motor industry to strengthen contacts with leading European figures.