August CV production falls

UK commercial vehicle production fell by 1,642 units in August as the 2014 calendar saw some plants take additional shutdown, compared to last year, for retooling according to SMMT figures.

Year-to-date output is down 24.6 per cent to 45,928 units, although SMMT suggests greater stability is expected in the coming months.

European demand for commercial vehicles is on the up, with EU registrations rising 10.3 per cent in June.

“UK commercial vehicle production fell 43.5 per cent in August – traditionally the year’s quietest month – as some plants took additional shutdown to retool for new models,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

“We expect the recent decline to level off in the next few months as newly introduced models reach full production and the rising demand across the EU takes hold.”