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."
The vast majority of exports were destined for the EU with which the SMMT wants "free and frictionless trade" post-Brexit.
