UK commercial vehicle production down 11.7% in September

A total of 7,320 commercial vehicles were produced in UK factories in September, reports the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This figure represents an 11.7 per cent year-on-year decline compared with September 2018. Output for crucial overseas markets was up some 25.4 per cent, but production for the domestic market fell -44.5 per cent in the face of ongoing political and economic uncertainty. Two-thirds of the commercial vehicles built in September are destined for European and global markets.

Production in the year to date is 13.2 per cent less than during the first nine months of 2018, a trend driven by a decline in export orders, which are down more than 7,400 units. Production for the UK is also 2.6 per cent lower.

“It’s been a pretty turbulent first nine months for UK commercial vehicle production, with model changeovers and the variable pattern of fleet buying cycles affecting output,” comments Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “While it is worrying to see a fall in September domestic orders, the vast majority of our CV output is shipped overseas, mostly into the EU, and so to ensure ongoing sector competitiveness we need a truly ambitious future relationship based on tariff-free and frictionless trade.”