sports car manufacturer is increasing production by 10%

Caterham Cars is stepping up production at its Dartford factory

A sports car manufacturer is increasing production by 10% and creating jobs in north Kent.

Surrey-based Caterham Cars said it had seen increased sales in the UK and abroad, which had led to the move.

Managing director Ansar Ali said sales appeared to stall in 2008. In response, the firm cut its 90-strong workforce by eight and also reduced production.

But demand now exceeded expectation and Caterham would add four posts to its 45-plus workforce in Dartford, he said.

The company would also be recruiting production staff, he added.

Job cuts, which included voluntary redundancies last year, were at the Dartford factory and at the firm's showrooms in Caterham and in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Mr Ali said: "When we saw the first signs of sales activity stalling last year, we cut our cloth accordingly in terms of resource and costs.

"I've always worked on the basis that I'd rather face the problem of how to build more cars, than the problem of how to sell them, so it's gratifying to now be manning back up to cope with the extra demand."

Order book 'full'

He said the manufacturer's international sales had benefitted from favourable exchange rates, and also its quality of business partners in France, Italy, Japan and Germany.

Caterham's order book was full until mid-October, he added.

Mr Ali said 2009 production levels of its Seven sportscar would increase by about 10% to 420 units.

He said the classic two-seater Caterham Seven had achieved European Community Small Series Type Approval (ECSSTA), which had paved the way for "significant Continental expansion".

It now had "above-forecast" growth in the UK, mainland Europe, and further afield.

Earlier this year, the company launched the Caterham Roadsport 175 and the Caterham Superlight R300.