Although there are significant issues with supply chain at the moment, commercial vehicle production hit a 12-year high in the UK in March, with 10,130 vehicles rolling out of the factory doors – a 64.3% increase on the same month in 2021!
So far this year, 25,268 vans, trucks, buses, coaches and other working vehicles were produced here, 57% up on last year. Production for the domestic market is up, but even more so for exports, which have risen just over 70%.
Good news indeed, but every sector needs to be on its guard to remain competitive as rising energy and inflation pose big challenges.
More good news comes from the SMMT Test Day, which gave more than 300 journalists the chance to drive the latest tech at the impressive UTAC proving ground in Millbrook, Bedfordshire.
Although we’ve had a smattering of commercial vehicles at Test Day for years, this time there were 15, including vans, refuse lorries and trucks up to 44-tonnes, all in a dedicated Working Vehicle Zone.
The event provided an opportunity for SMMT and members to give first-hand insight into working vehicles that many attending journalists – more than 60 in total, including from the likes of the Financial Times, The Guardian and Daily Mail – have never had before. Nearly 170 separate drives were conducted on the day.
Feedback from the event was excellent and even the weather behaved itself which, for Millbrook in particular it seems, is another cause for celebration.
Thanks to all of the SMMT members and staff who made both of these good news stories possible.
