Commercial vehicle production soars in best July since 2008

UK commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing increased by 71.7% in July to reach 15,252 units, reversing four months of decline, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The increase resulted in the best July performance in 16 years and a 201.8% increase on pre-pandemic July 2019 volumes.

Growth in the month was driven by easing supply chain challenges and ongoing demand from overseas markets – which grew 76.8% to 9,534 units.

Exports accounted for 62.5% of all vehicles produced in the month, with the EU taking the lion’s share and nearly all exports (99.1%).

The domestic market also recorded double-digit growth, rising by 63.7% to 5,718 units.

The sector’s first monthly uptick since February sees year-to-date commercial vehicle production up by 7.3% on the same period in 2023 to 72,761 units – a healthy gain of 4,971 units and an 81.31% increase on pre-pandemic 2019.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “An end to recent supply chain disruption signals a return to growth for the UK’s commercial vehicle sector, and significant growth at that.

“Sustaining strong global demand for British-built vans, trucks and buses, which are increasingly zero emission, now depends on maintaining favourable trading conditions, creating healthy markets at home and boosting UK competitiveness on the global stage.”