An expected dip in commercial vehicle production was recorded last month according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Low export demand and the introduction of Euro-6 regulations for trucks saw total commercial vehicle output fall by 14.4% in January to 6,681 units.
Production for the domestic market fell by 17.9%, to 3,445, while export figures dropped 10.8% to 3,236.
“New Euro-6 engine emission legislation came into effect from January this year, a change which invariably results in a lull in UK heavy commercial vehicle manufacturing and a contributor to January’s 14.6% fall in output,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
“While can production was strong in the month, the 2014 market will, from some months, continue to be affected by the Europe-wide restructuring that occurred last year.”
The SMMT expects production output to stabilise in the second half of 2014.
