Domestic, EU demand drives surge in UK commercial vehicle manufacturing

Commercial vehicle manufacturing in the UK grew 49.1 per cent in January. According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 9,182 vans, trucks, buses and coaches left production lines during the month. A number of large domestic orders and strong market incentives helped deliver the sector’s best January performance for seven years.

Domestic and export market demand experienced double-digit increases; these rose 97.4 per cent and 25.3 per cent respectively. A number of large fleet orders in the small volume UK market resulted in the doubling of home output. However, overseas demand continued to drive volumes, with 56.3 per cent of commercial vehicles built in the UK destined for international customers — 96.2 per cent of these within the EU.

“It’s good to see UK commercial vehicle manufacturing begin the year on a high, with strong market incentives ahead of model changes and a number of large fleet orders having a big impact on this small volume sector,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “While domestic demand almost doubled in January, exports continued to account for more than half of output, the majority destined for the continent. This underlines the importance of securing a deal with the EU, our biggest customer, that maintains free and frictionless trade.”

Source: SMMT