The number of commercial vehicles being manufactured in the UK has now exceeded pre-pandemic levels, according to new figures…

Commercial Vehicle Production Improves

Whilst the UK’s car industry is beset by all manner of crises, commercial vehicle production is rapidly improving. Indeed, production was up by an impressive 57% in the first quarter of 2022. Some 25,268 vans coaches, buses, vans, taxis and trucks rolled off of production lines in Q1. More impressively, 10,130 of these were produced in March alone; a year-on-year increase of 64.3%.

Crucially, commercial vehicle production actually exceeded pre-pandemic levels in March. Production was up by 11.3% on the same period in 2019. Most of the growth was due to rising exports, which were up by 70.5%. The overwhelming majority of exports were to EU countries (94.4%). Domestic production also rose by 42.6%.

Unfortunately, car production figures haven’t enjoyed the same success. Production was down by a third (32.4%) during the first three months of 2022. This is largely due to global supply-chain issues, especially concerning the availability of semiconductors; a shortage that isn’t expected to be addressed until 2023 / 24.

‘Resolute’ 

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented on the figures. He said, “despite the challenges the UK automotive industry continues to face, most notably the global shortage of semiconductors, commercial vehicle manufacturing output is still resolute. Significant demand from both home and overseas for the latest and greenest working vehicles continues and will be aided by new model and technology releases throughout the year”.

He continued, “competitiveness, however, is far from assured and action must be taken now to reduce the potential impact of rising energy and inflation costs, to encourage investment and the long-term future of the sector”.

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