Local demand drives up UK commercial vehicle production

Britain’s commercial vehicle manufacturing industry continued its strong recovery in July, with production volumes up 46.3 per cent over the same month last year. A total of 9,274 CVs were built in the month, with output for the UK market posting an especially strong gain of 137.6 per cent.

July’s figures are a continuation of the recovery made by the sector throughout 2015, which has seen production levels grow by a third to 57,967 units. Volumes last year were impacted by some restructuring within the industry, as well as a spike in truck demand in 2013 related to type approval changes. This year’s growth comes off the back of increasing demand, both domestically and abroad for UK-built CVs.

“The commercial vehicle manufacturing sector’s impressive performance in July is further welcome evidence of its ongoing return to form,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. “After a difficult year of regulatory upheaval, we’re now seeing demand for British-built vans, trucks and buses bounce back as fleet renewal patterns return to normal and the online delivery market continues to grow.”