The UK’s commercial vehicle manufacturing sector remains under acute pressure but new production figures bring cause for cautious optimism that the worst of the recent decline may be easing.
SMMT’s manufacturing data for April still shows a decline, with light and heavy commercial vehicle output falling by -10.9% to 2,378 units, but it is the smallest decline in over a year – with the closure of one of the UK’s biggest van plans in Luton last March now beginning to wash through the data.
Stabilisation may be emerging at a reduced level of activity, with year-to-date CV production in the first four months of 2026 down -64.1% on last year, with fewer than 10,000 units produced.
Exports remain central to our growth and industry is continuing to engage with government, in the UK and Europe, to ensure tariff-free trade across the Channel is not jeopardised by the European Commission’s ‘Made in Europe’ proposals. A prompt resolution is also being sought over stricter rules of origin from 2027, with the upcoming UK-EU Summit set to offer a timely opportunity to for both sides to progress discussions.
Translating our stabilisation into recovery and growth will require not only renewed demand but action on government’s Industrial and Trade Strategies, which can actively support our competitiveness, investment and trade – building renewed confidence in UK CV manufacturing, and ensuring we continue to deliver high-quality vehicles for operators in the UK and globally.
