British van manufacturing hits 14-year high

However, because August is a low output month due to the traditional ‘summer shutdown’, this was equivalent to just 673 fewer units with year to date volumes still 8.8% up on 2019’s pre-pandemic output.

Exports continued to dominate output, with a marginal decline of -0.2%, a year-on-year loss of just seven vehicles. More than half of output (59.3%) was produced for overseas markets, with the EU receiving the lion’s share (97.2%). Production for the UK, meanwhile, declined by -21.3% to 2,457 units.

In the year to date, UK CV plants have produced 78,805 units, a rise of 5.8% on 2023 and the best performance in 14 years despite supply chain disruptions throughout the year. Volumes are also up 72.3% on 2019 levels – driven by exports, up 12.0%, with 52,389 units shipped overseas. Output for the domestic market, however, fell -4.7% to 26,416 units.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Demand for British-built commercial vehicles remains strong and while August output was down, this aligns with expectations as manufacturers adjust to new models and market demand. Sustaining future success depends on ensuring the UK retains its competitiveness, with vibrant markets at home and globally for the increasingly zero emission vans, trucks, buses and taxis our plants produce.”