UK Commercial Vehicle manufacturing down -13,6% in Februar as sector supports fight against Coronavirus 28.03.2020: UK COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURING British commercial vehicle output falls -13.6% in February, with 7,980 units produced. Exports drive decline, down -26.2%, as output for UK market ri

UK COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURING


    British commercial vehicle output falls -13.6% in February, with 7,980 units produced.

    Exports drive decline, down -26.2%, as output for UK market rises by 417 units.

    Crucial commercial vehicle sector calls for more government action to ensure uninterrupted deliveries during national crisis.




UK commercial vehicle production declined -13.6% in February, with 7,980 vans, trucks and buses manufactured, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The performance follows a bumper February in 2019 when output grew by more than half ahead of key model changes, and reflects the cyclical nature of this low volume sector.



Slower demand in key European markets saw production for export fall -26.2% in the month, with 1,670 fewer units shipped overseas. Meanwhile, following five months of decline, output for the domestic market returned to growth, up 14.6%, with 3,279 vans, trucks and buses built for UK operators.



The news comes amid widespread plant closures across the UK as manufacturers respond to the coronavirus pandemic. While CV production in the UK is largely expected to be on shutdown for the coming month, the sector is striving to ensure component production and the provision of maintenance services for essential transport, delivery and emergency service vehicles can continue.



Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The UK’s commercial vehicle sector is critical to the fight against coronavirus, working night and day to deliver food, medicine and other essential goods and services to support society’s most vulnerable and help prop up the economy.



Government’s pledge of emergency finance and other measures to help protect these businesses and workers during the crisis has been widely welcomed but it is now about getting that relief to all companies in the fastest time possible. Meanwhile, additional provisions for official road-approval testing to get even more essential vehicles in service and supporting the national effort must also be implemented urgently.”




About SMMT and the UK automotive industry



The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. It supports the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad, promoting a united position to government, stakeholders and the media.



The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for £82 billion turnover and £18.6 billion value added. With some 168,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and 823,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 14.4% of total UK export of goods and invests £3.75 billion each year in automotive R&D. More than 30 manufacturers build some 70 models of vehicle in the UK supported by 2,500 component providers and some of the world's most skilled engineers.



More detail on UK automotive available in SMMT's Motor Industry Facts 2019 publication at smmt.co.uk/facts19




Paul Mauerhoff, Aleona Krechetova - photos SMMT