SMMT found that demand surged by a third in both domestic and overseas markets, with Europe taking the lion’s share of exports (88%), followed by Asia (6.3%). Meanwhile, manufacturers closed 2015 on a high note, with output for December up 7.7% compared with 2014, driven equally by British and overseas markets.
Commenting on the findings, Mike Hawkes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Commercial vehicle production ended 2015 on a very positive note, with another month of growth in December resulting in a substantial boost to volumes for the year. Exports continued to make up half of UK CV demand, with more than 47,000 vehicles destined for overseas markets, fuelled by the continued recovery of our biggest trading partner, Europe.”
Commercial vehicle manufacturing output
| CV manufacturing | Dec-14 | Dec-15 | % Change | YTD-14 | YTD-15 | % Change |
| Total | 5,815 | 6,265 | 7.7% | 70,869 | 94,479 | 33.3% |
| Home | 2,891 | 3,008 | 4.0% | 35,945 | 47,300 | 31.6% |
| Export | 2,924 | 3,257 | 11.4% | 34,924 | 47,179 | 35.1% |
| % Export | 50.3% | 52.0% | 49.3% | 49.9% |
The SMMT also revealed that Vauxhall was Britain's number one van maker for the 14th year running in 2015, with 60,280 vans built at the plant in Luton, Bedfordshire. The factory is a major exporter, with 52% of production destined for European markets. Over 90,000 Astras were also built at the manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.
“We are delighted to be the UK’s leading van manufacturer for the 14th year running,” commented Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s chairman and managing Director. “The Luton-built Vivaro is the lynchpin of our award-winning van range and we are very proud of our 113 year heritage of building vehicles in Britain.”