IN years gone by the words Made in Britain were a message of assured quality.

However, as time progressed and Britain became more reliant on overseas manufacturing, the badge became something of a rare sight.

But today the message is back with a vengeance in the UK car industry with manufacturing output reaching its highest level since 1999 in November, with almost 170,000 vehicles rolling off production lines, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Year-to-date volumes also achieved a 17-year high, with production in the first 11 months of the year rising to 1,613,495 units - already nearly 56,000 units ahead of year-end 2015.

Production for the home market was particularly strong in November, rising 14 per cent to 33,745 units, while exports also saw robust growth, up 12.5per cent.

In the year-to-date, output is up across the board, with domestic demand increasing 4.2 per cent and exports enjoying an uplift of 11.1 per cent to 1,258,909 - beating last year's record by 2.5 per cent.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Made in Britain is a badge coveted by car buyers worldwide, and these latest figures highlight not just that international appeal but the fact that the UK is a globally competitive place to make cars.

"These latest results are the product of significant investments made over the past few years, but which will continue only if we can maintain the competitive trading conditions that have enabled the UK to become an automotive success story."

The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for more than£71.6 billion turnoverand£18.9 billion value added.

With some169,000people employed directly in manufacturing and814,000across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 12 per cent of total UK export of goodsand invests£2.5 billioneach year in automotive research and development.

More than30 vehicle manufacturers currently build in excess of70 models in the UK supported by more than2,000 component providersand some of the world's mostskilled engineers.