The number of commercial vehicles built in the UK fell almost 17 per cent last year, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers have revealed.
Domestic demand fell by 25 per cent to 29,320 – its lowest level since 2009. Exports performed better, but were still down 10.8 per cent to 48,899. This means that exports now account for 62.5 per cent of all UK production.
SMMT chief Mike Hawes said: “Fluctuating fleet purchasing cycles, alongside declining confidence among operators in the CV market, affected production in 2017. British CV manufacturing continues to make a vital contribution to the UK economy, with an increasing proportion shipped to global markets. More than nine out of every ten vehicles we export are produced for EU customers, underscoring the need for urgent clarity on the transitional arrangements for Brexit.”
