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• UK commercial vehicle manufacturing rose 36.8% in April with 8,629 vans, trucks and buses built.
• 32,064 CVs produced so far in 2015 – an increase of 23.6%.
• Exports surge 50.1% in April as EU market recovery continues.

Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (91ÖÆƬ³§¹ÙÍø) show an uplift in UK commercial vehicle production in April, with output up 36.8% on the same month last year. Following restructuring in the market, productivity has returned to form, with year-to-date growth of almost a quarter at 23.6%. Volumes have also been driven by rising demand from operators in the UK – and increasingly across Europe too.

While the production increase in the first quarter was built mainly on growth in the UK market, April saw a 50.1% surge in manufacture for export. This is evidence that the UK is taking advantage of a rallying European market, with CV registrations across the EU having risen 13% so far this year*.

“These figures are further evidence that commercial vehicle manufacturing in the UK has turned a corner after a period of restructuring,” said Mike Hawes, SMMTChief Executive. “April’s significant rise in exports is particularly encouraging, as the industry capitalises on increasing demand for vans, trucks and buses across Europe.”

*ACEA statistics

Click through to download the UK CV manufacturing news release for April 2015.