Commercial vehicle production was down 70 per cent to just 2,110 units in May, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It means that for the first five months of the year, production was down 6.3 per cent at 31,785. Some 56.3 per cent of the vehicles produced went for export.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “While key model changes and fluctuating fleet buying cycles were behind the second month of significant decline for CV manufacturing, we shouldn’t ignore the wider challenges facing the industry. The large decrease in output for overseas markets highlights the sector’s reliance on international trade, particularly with the EU, where more than nine out of 10 exports are headed. Future growth is pinned on a Brexit deal that guarantees free and frictionless trade.”
Car production in May was down 15.5 per cent at 116,035 units. For the year to date, production was down 21 per cent at 557,295. Some 79.4 per cent of the vehicles produced went for export.
