Data published today [24 Feb] by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that production of commercial vehicles (CVs) in the UK has risen by 35.6% from January 2022 to January 2023, making it the best start to a year since 2012.
According to SMMT, production saw a year-on-year rise of 36.2% for the domestic market and an 35.1% increase for the export market. Of these exports, 91.8% were destined for countries in the EU, making the EU far and away the biggest international market for CV exports.
9,299 vans, trucks, taxis, buses, and coaches left factory lines in January. The last time this figure was exceeded, in January 2012, 9,844 units were produced.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “The UK’s commercial vehicle sector continues to show resilience, surpassing the previous ten years of January output even in the face of global supply shortages and soaring energy costs.”
He added: “To ensure this success continues, we need a framework which secures globally competitive conditions and underpins the delivery of sustainable manufacturing, rapid decarbonisation and economic growth to keep Britain ahead in the race to net zero.”
