CV production records modest gains
UK commercial vehicle production grew 3.6% in July, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It found that 5,234 commercial vehicles rolled off production lines.
Demand from European markets drove the majority of orders with more than half of all units built in July shipped to Europe, helping to grow overall exports by 4.8%. Production for the UK, however, also grew as dealers across England, Scotland and Wales were able to re-open for the first full month to fulfil pent-up demand.
Performance for the year to date sees output down by more than a fifth to 31,655 vans, trucks and buses – a combined shortfall of 8,529 units.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “This month’s increase in output is undoubtedly welcome news, but the uncertainty is far from over. With many production lines running at reduced capacity due to ongoing social distancing measures and order books diminished as a result of depleted business confidence, the industry is still fighting an uphill battle to make up the lockdown loss of more than 8,500 vehicles.”
