CV production records best November since 2007

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported that commercial vehicle (CV) production grew again in November by 16.8% to 13,253 units.

This makes it the best November performance since 2007.

The November total is 51.1% up on 2019’s pre-pandemic level with output responding to demand from export markets, up 18.3% to 9,451 units with 71.3% of output shipped abroad.

Orders for the domestic market also rose, by 13.4% to 3,802 units.

As a result, British CV production year-to-date is up 15.5% to 111,863 units, the best for the January-November period since 2010.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “UK CV production is on track to record its best year in more than a decade, testament to the competitiveness of automotive manufacturing in this country. Fresh investment to make the latest, zero emission vans here has helped boost volumes of vehicles that are increasingly in demand from fleet operators across Europe. The industry can look forward with renewed optimism, especially with a deal to extend the current EU-UK trade rules for EVs and batteries now agreed.”