The number of cars built in the UK last month rose by almost 8%, new figures reveal.
Just over 136,000 cars left production lines, up 7.8% on July last year.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that the number of cars built in the first seven months of the year was down 1.6% to one million amid uncertainty over Brexit.
Exports are driving production, with almost four out of five British cars shipped overseas so far this year.
But the number of cars built for the UK market grew by 17.7% in July, halting seven successive months of decline.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "UK car production lines stepped up a gear in July, as usual bringing forward some production to help manage demand ahead of September and routine summer factory shutdowns.
"As the timing and length of these manufacturing pauses can shift each year, market performance comparisons for July and August should always be treated with caution.
"But as long as the economic conditions at home and abroad stay broadly stable, we expect new car production to remain in line with expectations for the rest of 2017."