- November UK production of commercial vehicles declines -34.6% to 6,312 units.
- Declines in both home and overseas demand, falling -16.8% and -40.7% respectively.
- Year-to-date output also down, falling -15.7%, with 74,466 CVs built this year.
UK commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing fell -34.6% in November according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 6,312 vans, trucks, buses and coaches left production lines last month, as declining business confidence and fluctuating buying cycles continued to affect production volumes.
Domestic demand fell -16.8% in November, echoing recent declines in UK commercial vehicle registrations. Meanwhile, demand from overseas markets declined -40.7%, however, the proportion of CVs built for export remains high at 67.5%. Year-to-date production has also fallen, with output for UK and overseas markets down -24.4% and -9.2% respectively.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,
November marks the ninth month of negative growth for UK CV production in 2017. Whilst fleet purchasing cycles have fluctuated, declining confidence among operators in the CV market is no doubt affecting production. To stimulate demand and safeguard the competitiveness of our industry, we need urgent clarity on transition arrangements and the nature of our long-term future relationship with Europe.
