UK commercial vehicle production declined 13.6% in February to 7,980 vans, trucks and buses, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
This followed a "bumper" February in 2019 when output grew by more than half ahead of key model changes and reflected the cyclical nature of this low volume sector, the SMMT said.
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Slower demand in key European markets saw production for export fall 26.2% in the month with 1,670 fewer units shipped overseas. Meanwhile, following five months of decline, output for the domestic market returned to growth, up 14.6%, with 3,279 vans, trucks and buses built for UK operators.
The news came amid widespread plant closures across the UK as manufacturers responded to the coronavirus pandemic.
While CV production in the UK was largely expected to be on shutdown for the coming month, the sector is striving to ensure component production and the provision of maintenance services for essential transport, delivery and emergency service vehicles can continue.
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