SMMT’s latest commercial vehicle manufacturing figures for June show output fell by -45.4% in the first half of 2025 with 31,422 vans, trucks, taxis, buses and coaches leaving factory lines. It is partly the result of two factory closures, as well as global economic and trade uncertainty, reflected by a sharper decline in exports, down -62.3%, with the UK taking a greater share to become the primary market for British-built CVs since January.
There are foundations for future growth, however, with the UK having published its Industrial and Trade Strategies. Government’s new DRIVE35 programme, meanwhile, which commits £2.5 billion to automotive manufacturing over the next decade, will help guarantee long-term stability industry and investors need to deliver innovation, recruitment and economic growth.
The programme has a clear focus on commercial vehicle technologies aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains, reducing reliance on imports and encouraging reshoring of manufacturing jobs. This includes support for Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in the commercial vehicle ecosystem, with eligible technologies including electric and hydrogen-powered CVs, automated systems and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Automated vehicles, in particular, are coming into greater focus with government launching a consultation on its Automated Passenger Services Permitting Scheme as part of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024. The scheme aims to create a targeted regulatory framework for deploying commercial self-driving passenger services, including automated taxis, private hire vehicles and public service vehicles without a human driver in Britain.
There are already a number of projects underway in locations including Belfast, Cambridge and Solihull, so if you want to see future driving technology and experience a self-driving vehicle yourself, you can search one out.
