UK commercial vehicle manufacturing fell 59.3% in May, as temporary supply chain challenges impacted output, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed.
A total of 4,400 vans, trucks, taxis, buses and coaches rolled out of factory gates last month, compared to a particularly buoyant figure of 10,817 in May 2023. The latter had marked the best performance since 2008 and was the result of manufacturers working to clear pent-up demand post-Covid.
The fall marked the third consecutive month of decline for UK commercial vehicle manufacturing.
Shipments to overseas markets declined by 61.9% to 3,027 units but still represented two-thirds (68.8%) of all vehicles produced in the month. The EU was responsible for the bulk (95.9%) of exports, in line with the long-term trend. Meanwhile, 1,373 units were produced for the domestic market, a fall of 52.2%.
May’s decline means UK CV production is now down in the year to date by 3.2% to 45,439 units – equivalent to a loss of 1,492 units. However, exports remain up, with year-to-date volumes up by 5.9% to 31,688 units and seven in 10 (69.7%) commercial vehicles produced shipped aboard. Manufacturing for UK customers, however, declined by 19.1% to 13,751 units – a figure expected to recover as output stabilises throughout the year.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Commercial vehicle production has gone from strength to strength over the last year, driven by increasing demand at home and abroad. The recent downturn is obviously disappointing, but is temporary and, as supply chain disruptions are resolved, output should be back on track.”
Hawes also called on the next government to ensure the UK automotive sector has the conditions necessary for growth.
“[This] means maintaining favourable market conditions, improving the competitiveness of UK manufacturing and ensuring trade flows are as free and fair as possible,” he stressed.
