British commercial vehicle manufacturing grew 6.1% in June with 7,769 vehicles leaving production lines, according to the data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Production for the UK home market rose by just 3.1%, equivalent to only 91 units, alongside a more substantial 8.1% boost in export demand with 4,713 vehicles shipped to overseas markets in the month.
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In the first six months, however, output remained 5.3% behind the performance for the same period in 2017.
The decline was largely driven by slower UK demand, down 4.9%, as fluctuating fleet buying cycles and business uncertainty affected the market.
Meanwhile, exports remained stable, up 0.2% year to date, to 27,873 units. Almost seven out of every 10 vans, trucks, taxis and buses built in the UK in the first half of 2018 were exported – with some 95% of those going to the EU.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "These latest results once again demonstrate the importance of exports to commercial vehicle manufacturing in the UK. Overseas demand for the high-tech, ultra low and, increasingly, zero emission vehicles we produce has been the major driver of production so far this year."
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By GlobalDataThe vast majority of exports were destined for the EU with which the SMMT wants "free and frictionless trade" post-Brexit.
