But new Industrial and Trade Strategies help boost Britain’s prospects for CV manufacturing growth
The UK’s latest commercial vehicle manufacturing data published by SMMT shows a tough picture in May, with output down by -53.6% to 2,087 units – a sharp decline that reflects the impact of recent plant closures, which will continue to affect production volumes in the near future. Export volumes have also taken a hit, with the share of CVs built for overseas markets falling from 67.9% to just 41.4% – making the UK market the primary destination for British-built commercial vehicles.
The downturn highlights the urgent need for a supportive industrial environment so it’s a step in the right direction that government has now published its Industrial Strategy, which the sector has long called for, rightly recognising automotive as a strategic sector.
In hand with the new Trade Strategy, both these frameworks have the potential to deliver tangible benefits for CV makers, which includes taxis, vans, trucks and buses, to deliver the national and regional economic growth and jobs that government and industry wants.
As SMMT has set out, the right next steps are to reduce energy costs for manufacturers, which remain the highest in Europe, as well as increased access key overseas markets and further measures to grow domestic demand and vehicle decarbonisation.
The skills transition is also an important part of the UK’s competitiveness picture given we need to attract, recruit and retain a new generation of new-skilled talent in our sector. This week I was pleased to meet the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) to hear about the expansion of the IRTE Skills Challenge into the truck sector, with the new IRTE HGV Skills Challenge. Building on the success of the IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge, this initiative celebrates the vital work of technicians, and now aims to raise the profile of technical HGV careers too.
Backed by the DVSA, the initiative will launch with a two-day pilot competition this September, at a new academy in Nottingham, culminating in an awards ceremony later in the Autumn. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent that keeps our industry moving and I urge everyone to get involved.
