Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show a boost to UK commercial vehicle production in May 2015 but engine production has slumped.
Over 6,800 vans, trucks and buses were made in Britain last month – a 32.8% rise compared with last year.
Data for the first five months of 2015 further demonstrate a CV manufacturing resurgence, with production volumes up by almost a quarter.
The sector benefitted from increasing European demand in May, as exports rose 69.4% last month with 3,710 vehicles destined for overseas markets. Half of all commercial vehicles produced to date in 2015 have been built for export.
“May’s strong figures consolidate the UK commercial vehicle manufacturing sector’s return to form, following a more subdued period over the past couple of years when changes to type approval legislation disrupted fleet renewal patterns,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
“Continued demand for high quality British engineering, growing business confidence and regulatory stability have helped to fuel steady growth for both the domestic and export markets.”
It is particularly good for Vauxhall, which makes a range of vans at Luton and Richard Colllier, CV manager for Vauxhall said, “New Vivaro was our most successful commercial vehicle launch ever and has performed exceptionally well in the UK since its launch last year.
“Its excellent sales performance has helped drive production at the Luton plant where we added a second shift in January and are approaching the one million build milestone.”
That growth contrasted with a 10% drop in UK engine manufacturing in May, led by a slump of 13% in units sent for export and fitting into models made outside Britain.
Last month 190,861 engines were made UK plants compared to 213,603 the same time last year.
