UK commercial vehicle production was up 3.6 per cent in the first half of the year at 109,950 vehicles, according to the Society of Moor Manufacturers and Traders.
Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said: “CV production has been buoyant in the first half of 2007. Production in the second quarter was up 8.6 per cent versus 3.6 per cent in quarter one. Light commercial vehicles from Ford, Vauxhall, LDV and IBC are driving growth in this sector, as all saw production rise in June.”
Van registrations in the first half were up 1.2 per cent at 170,074 but truck registrations are 26.9 per cent down at 22,444.
“The good news on van and truck registrations continues for the third straight month,” said Macgowan. “For vans, the figures are good, with the medium and heavy sectors doing particularly well. For trucks, the distorting effects of the introduction of digital tachograph and Euro 4 standards are beginning to fade and orders are up. On that basis, we expect a return to the long-term average volumes, though supply constraints continue to complicate the picture.”
Truck Registrations
First half registrations by manufacturer with change on last year in brackets
DAF Trucks: 5,567 (-34.59%)
Mercedes: 3,327 (-32.92%)
Iveco: 2,868 (-23.48%)
Scania: 2,074 (-35.55%)
MAN: 1,994 (-10.74%)
Volvo Trucks: 1,772 (-43.02%)
Ford: 1,429 (70.93%)
Renault Trucks: 745 (-41.25%)
ERF: 81 (-46.00%)
(Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders)
