In August commercial vehicle manufacturing suffered a decline of 10% but the industry is still showing an 8.8% improvement compared to pre-pandemic levels. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) production was down in August compared to a strong July as 6,044 units left UK factories. Despite a small decline, this is generally expected during the traditional summer shutdown period and accounted for a drop of just 673 units.
The appetite for British-built CVs remained strong with the export market, experiencing only a minor decline of 0.2% in August. More than half of the UK’s CV output reached overseas markets with the EU the predominant final destination, accounting for 97.2% of exports. For the domestic market, demand was down by 21.3% to 2,457 units.
So far this year, CV manufacturing has seen a 5.8% rise on 2023, with 78,805 units produced. Even with supply chain disruptions and some months showing a decline in manufacturing, performance in 2024 has been the best in 14 years. Compared to 2019, volumes are up by 72.3%. The improvement in manufacturing levels has been boosted by exports which are up 12% on pre-pandemic figures to 52,389 units. Production for the UK market has dropped by 4.7% to 26,416 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.”
Earlier this year after CV manufacturing results from Q2, Hawes said: “The truck market’s return to growth after a slower start to the year demonstrates its robustness and resilience – particularly as overall uptake continues to keep pace with last year and the pent-up demand that fuelled volumes.”
