Chinese visitors look at Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs on display during an auto show in Chengdu city, Southwest China′s Sichuan province, September 2, 2016. [Photo/IC]

LONDON - China remained Britain's third biggest trading partner after the European Union (EU) and the United States, as British car production achieved a 17-year high in 2016, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said Thursday.

China, the world's largest car market,"remains a vitally important market for the UK automotive industry, as well as a crucial trading partner in terms of materials and components - relationships we wish to see thrive in the future," said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.

China remains the third biggest export destination for British automotive industry as demand bounces back 3.1 percent after falling 37.5 percent the previous year, the latest report from the association said.

Top five British bestsellers in China last year included Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery, Jaguar F Pace, MINI and Range Rover, it said.

According to the report, 1,722,698 vehicles rolled off production lines last year from some 15 manufacturers, an 8.5 percent uplift on the total production of 2015 and the highest output since 1999.

Production growth was predominantly driven by overseas demand, with global appetite for British-built cars rising by 10.3 percent to an all-time high of 1,354,216, a second consecutive annual record.

Around eight out of every 10 cars manufactured in Britain is now exported, bound for one of 160 markets worldwide, the report said.

Continuing economic recovery across Europe accounted for the bulk of the British car export growth, with production for the continent boosted by 7.5 percent to 758,680, it said.

Domestic demand for British-built cars also grew last year, up 2.4 percent in the year, and Britain remains the second largest car market in Europe, again after Germany.

Hawes said the tremendous growth in British production is a testament to the global competitiveness of the country's automotive sector.

High-class engineering, advanced technology and a workforce committed to quality have helped turn around the industry, making Britain among the most productive places in Europe to make cars, he said.