London - Car production in Britain dropped by 59 per cent in February compared with the same month in 2008, official figures showed Friday.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said just 59,777 cars were made in February 2009 as vehicle companies cut back production.

"The large fall in February's vehicle production is a direct result of weak demand and the need to protect the highly-skilled workforce and valuable industrial capability in the UK automotive sector," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt.

He urged the government to improve access to finance and credit and to implement a vehicle scrappage scheme that could induce people to buy new cars.

Major car companies have in recent months introduced short-time work or stopped production altogether.

The Honda motor company in Swindon, west of London, has halted production until June while other major companies have reduced weekly working hours.

Over the whole of 2008, car production dropped by 5.7 per cent compared with 2007. (dpa)