Exports are driving soaring production at the UK’s commercial vehicle plants.
In total 9,669 CVs were built in the UK’s factories in November, up nine per cent on November 2015 and taking total 2016 production to 88,323, for the first time ahead of 2015 figures.
However production for export in November soared 40 per cent, compensating for a 32.5 per cent slide in vehicles heading for the home market. So far this year 50,932 vans, trucks, buses and coaches have been built in Britian for overseas markets, more than in the whole of 2015.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) chief executive Mike Hawes agrees that another boost to commercial vehicle production is certainly welcome news for the sector, but adds that it is again being bolstered by a surge in exports demand, especially from the continent.
“Maintaining the success of British CV manufacturing is reliant on ensuring the UK remains competitive and that the beneficial trading conditions that have been vital to these positive results are preserved,” Hawes says in a clear message to the politicians negotiating the UK’s trading relationship with Europe and beyond following the departure from the European Union.