Strong start to the year continues for UK CV production
UK commercial vehicle (CV) production rose by 27.6% in April, the fourth consecutive month of growth for the sector, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 7,879 working vehicles, from vans and taxis to trucks, buses and coaches, left production lines, with the pre-planned ramp up of certain key models following COVID-related reductions, delivering the best-performing April since 2016.1
Growth was driven by a 58.0% increase in the number of vehicles built for export, with 4,723 units heading overseas. Production for the UK remained relatively stable, down by just 32 units (-1.0%) year on year. Meanwhile, the percentage of exports increased from 48.4% in April 2021, to 59.9%. Over the year to date, more than half (57.1%) of CVs produced have been exported, with more than nine in 10 of them (92.4%) destined for the EU.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “Thanks to significant demand from overseas markets, our CV output has not only increased on last year, but has surpassed even pre-pandemic levels. This is testament to the resilience of manufacturers and evidence of the role the sector can play in the UK’s long-term economic recovery. There remain, however, significant challenges behind these headline figures, with the ongoing global shortage of semiconductors and the war in Ukraine impacting the global industry. Most pressing, however, are the soaring energy costs and rampant inflation, and Government must act urgently if we are to secure the future competitiveness of this critical sector and the jobs and livelihoods it supports.”
Notes to editors
1: April 2016: 8,548
High-res charts can be downloaded here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xcfyhw0013n209c/AAAmUUdycil-aD6LTJrVymmba?dl=0
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 the industry to government, stakeholders and the media.
The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy, and integral to supporting the delivery of the agendas for levelling up, net zero, advancing global Britain, and the plan for growth. It contributes £60 billion turnover and £12 billion value added to the UK economy, and invests around £3 billion each year in R&D. With more than 155,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and some 800,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 11% of total UK exports with more than 150 countries importing UK produced vehicles, generating more than £73 billion of trade.
More than 30 manufacturers build more than 70 models of vehicle in the UK, supported by more than 2,500 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers. The automotive sector also supports jobs in other key sectors – including advertising, chemicals, finance, logistics and steel. Many of these jobs are outside London and the South-East, with wages that are around 25% higher than the UK average.
