The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has reported that UK commercial vehicle manufacturing rose 36.8% in April - compared with the same month last year - with 8,629 vans, trucks and buses built. When the figures were reported on 28 May, 32,064 CVs had been produced so far in 2015 – an increase of 23.6%. Exports surged 50.1% in April as the EU market recovery continues.
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.
Demand for commercial vehicles in the EU remained strong in April, rising 12.2% year-on-year for a total of 169,746 units.
Growth was sustained across all commercial vehicle segments according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Leading the way with double-digit growth were the UK (22%) and Spain (18.5%), followed by Italy (9.0%), Germany (7.0%) and France (1.4%). Growth so far this year, from January to April, stands at 13%.