UK CV production up 2.2% on pre-pandemic levels

29th June 2021

The commercial vehicle sector has received some welcome good news, with figures showing production is up on pre-pandemic levels.

A total of 6,243 units rolled off production lines in May, up from 820 in pandemic-lockdown May 2020.

While the rise compared to last year was expected, the figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) also show that May’s output represents a 2.2% increase on the five-year average; although the SMMT warns this must be viewed in the context of important model changes in 2019.

Chief executive Mike Hawes said: “May’s figures were always set to be exponentially higher than last year, as factories were forced to operate under limited capacity, or closed entirely. There was, however, some good news as production during the month surpassed pre-pandemic levels of output.”

Year-to-date production is up by 28.5% on 2020 to 28,510 units, driven chiefly by a rise in domestic demand, up 48.4%. But it remains 21.2% down on the pre-pandemic average.

Mike Hawes continue: “For a full recovery, we need increased confidence not just in the domestic market but in overseas markets as well.”