EU demand drives UK's best Q1 commercial vehicle production since 2012

British commercial vehicle production enjoyed its best first quarter since 2012 as EU exports drove demand, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The three month period has seen 27,513 trucks, buses and vans built in the UK due to increased export demand, a 41% improvement over the same period last year, with the SMMT highlighting the importance of the EU to UK commercial vehicle makers as 96% of the new vehicles are heading to the bloc.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "It’s certainly positive to see growth in the commercial vehicle market, but with ongoing Brexit uncertainty and the natural variability of buying cycles, we’re likely to see some turbulence in the months ahead. With the majority of commercial vehicles we build in the UK going to EU customers, it’s crucial that we quickly agree a deal that retains free and frictionless trade with our most important trading partner. The sooner a favourable deal is in place, the quicker we can be confident about the future."

Overall export demand in March was also on the rise, increasing 6.5% to 5,088 to round off the strongest first quarter performance since 2012.

Meanwhile, total commercial vehicle production grew by 24.5% to 9,098 vehicles over the month, compared to an 8.8% decline in March 2018, as the number of vans, trucks and buses built for the domestic market rose 58.6% to 4,010 units as the SMMT reported that one in 10 British workers rely on vans for their job.