The UK’s commercial vehicle manufacturing sector has hit a 14-year high despite a downturn in output for August.
Some 6,044 commercial vehicles rolled out of UK factories last month, down by 10.0% or 673 units compared to August 2023, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
But production over the first eight months of 2024 grew by 5.8% to 78,805 units, marking the best year-to-date performance since 2010 despite supply chain disruptions throughout the year. And the YtD total is up a staggering 72.3% on 2019’s pre-pandemic output for the same period.
Export production in August was down by a very marginal 0.2% year-on year, a loss of just seven vehicles. Overall, exports continued to dominate output, accounting for more than half (59.3%) of output, with the EU receiving the lion’s share (97.2%). Production for the UK, meanwhile, fell by 21.3% to 2,457 units.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Demand for British-built commercial vehicles remains strong and while August output was down, this aligns with expectations as manufacturers adjust to new models and market demand.
“Sustaining future success depends on ensuring the UK retains its competitiveness, with vibrant markets at home and globally for the increasingly zero emission vans, trucks, buses and taxis our plants produce.”
