Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show a continued pattern of decline in the production of commercial vehicles in the UK. CV production fell by 28.3% in April, following a more modest drop of 4.3% in March.
A total of 6,132 vans, trucks, buses and coaches were built in the UK in April. Year-to-date production has also declined, down 8.1% compared with 2016.
Exports continue to account for the majority of production. In the first four months of 2017, 64.5% of the CVs produced in the UK were destined for overseas. UK CV exports have seen a 12.6% increase from the same period last year and are at their highest since 2010.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said “it’s not surprising to see a decline in CV output” ascribing the slump to the late Easter bank holiday and fleet purchasing cycles. Pushing for the maintenance of good trade links with Europe, Hawes recognised “the proportion built for export reaches levels not seen since the start of this decade”.
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