U.K. Car Production Halts Slide -- Thanks to Brexit Confusion

U.K. car output snapped a downward spiral in August -- but only because factories continued production through the usual summer-maintenance shutdown after companies timed work to coincide with the original Brexit deadline of March 29.

Vehicle output rose 3.3% to 92,158 units, the first gain in 15 months, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders lobby group said in a statement Thursday. Year-to-date production is still down 17% or almost 180,000 units.