Exports prop up UK commercial vehicle production

Date: Thursday, September 27, 2018   |   Author: James Dallas

UK commercial vehicle production figures for August highlighted the sector’s dependence on trade with the European Union, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Overall, the number of vans, trucks and buses manufactured in the UK in August declined by 1.6% year-on-year to 3,685 but while production for the UK was down by 3.4%, export demand dipped by just 0.2%, or four units.

In the first eight months of the year, CV manufacturing fell 2.9% overall compared to the same period in 2017 but this included a 12.7% drop in production for the domestic market, which contrasted with a 3.1% rise in exports.

A total of 52,478 CVs were built in the UK in the year to 31 August, with 65.9% going to overseas customers.

SMMT boss Mike Hawes said: “With fluctuating buying cycles and business uncertainty continuing to affect the UK market today’s figures once again underline our reliance on international trade, particularly with the EU.

“Therefore it is imperative we maintain our beneficial trading arrangements with the EU and other key markets.”

 



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