British commercial vehicle manufacturing remained broadly steady in 2016, with a 0.6% decline, according to data compiled by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which announced 93,924 vans, trucks, buses and coaches were built here last year, "driven by booming foreign demand".
The number of CVs produced for export grew 16.2%, accounting for 58.4% of production and the largest proportion in seven years. Europe remained by far the sector's top market with 94.7% of commercial vehicle exports destined for customers there, followed by Asia which took 3.2%.
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SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "With Europe accounting for more than nine out of every 10 commercial vehicles we export, it is clear that maintaining a beneficial trading relationship with the EU is critical. Safeguarding tariff- and impediment-free trade, for both vehicles and components, will be critical to the future strength of our important commercial vehicle manufacturing industry."
The UK CV industry includes bus and truck plants and a GM Europe-Nissan-Renault Alliance van production joint venture.
