SMMT: UK truck manufacturing improving

UK truck and bus manufacturing sector could be on the up, with the industry showing signs of improvement, according to the latest detail published by automotive industry association SMMT. Indeed the latest data suggest that October saw the smallest monthly fall since June 2013.

A total of 7,235 units were produced in the month, a drop of 8.9 per cent (compared to 23.5 per cent for the year-to-date). The stabilisation was driven by growth in the home market, which grew for the first time in 17 months (+14.6 per cent). Output for export fell 30.6 per cent in the month, with only 39.6 per cent of vehicles produced destined for export.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said, “The heavy fall seen in UK commercial vehicle manufacturing over the past year is now levelling off as the effects of last year’s restructuring only apply to year-to-date figures. With new models now being produced in UK plants, production for the home market grew for the first time since June 2013. It remains to be seen if the recent growth in EU demand will continue, but indications are of greater stability in the months to come”.