British car production rose 58.5 percent on the year in December, the biggest rise since May 1976, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said on Friday. Commercial vehicle production, a smaller sector, rose in December for the first time in 17 months, the SMMT added.

Full year car production was significantly lower than 2008 however, falling 30.9 percent. The British government's car scrappage scheme - which gives drivers 2,000 pounds ($3,265) to trade in cars more than 10 years old for a more fuel-efficient newer model - has helped boost car sales and production but is due to end next month.

Copyright Reuters, 2010