UK commercial vehicle manufacturing output dipped 5.2% in September, although the year-to-date market remains buoyant.
A total of 11,352 vans, buses, trucks, coaches and taxis rolled out of factory gates last month, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The fall was set against a particularly strong September last year, which was the best since 2011. But September 2023 was still 54.2% up on 2019’s pre-Covid 7,363 units, showing the continued improvement of CV production.
Production for the domestic market rose 10.3% last month while exports declined 15.1% – but still accounted for more than half (54.9%) of all September output.
Overall year-to-date volumes remain up by 11.4% at 85,540 units – 61.1% above the same period in 2019 and representing the best first nine months since 2011. Exports have driven the growth, up 16.9% to 53,017 units. They account for more than six in 10 (62.0%) CVs made so far this year although production for the UK is also up, by a more modest 3.4%, to 32,523 units.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Despite a fall in September, UK CV production is showing strong recovery following the pandemic and subsequent supply shortages that bedevilled factories for months. Robust demand from both the UK and overseas markets, in particular the EU, has driven production with the output being increasingly electrified.
“However, with tougher rules of origin coming into force in January, the prospect of punitive tariffs is a clear and present danger. An urgent and sensible resolution is needed, else both the UK and EU CV industries will face severe competitiveness challenges and consumers increased costs.”
