The commercial vehicle sector is working to help keep essential workers on the move despite manufacturing plant shutdowns.
So says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) as its figures show British commercial vehicle output fell 13.6% in February.
Some 7,980 units were produced last month, with exports down 26.2% while domestic output was up 14.6%. The figures compare to a bumper month in 2019.
The news comes amid widespread plant closures across the UK as manufacturers respond to the coronavirus pandemic. But while CV production in the UK is largely expected to be on shutdown for the coming month, the sector is working to ensure component production and the provision of maintenance services for essential transport, delivery and emergency service vehicles can continue.
And the SMMT says more government action is needed to ensure uninterrupted deliveries during the crisis.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The UK’s commercial vehicle sector is critical to the fight against coronavirus, working night and day to deliver food, medicine and other essential goods and services to support society’s most vulnerable and help prop up the economy.
“Government’s pledge of emergency finance and other measures to help protect these businesses and workers during the crisis has been widely welcomed but it is now about getting that relief to all companies in the fastest time possible.
“Meanwhile, additional provisions for official road-approval testing to get even more essential vehicles in service and supporting the national effort must also be implemented urgently.”
