UK commercial vehicle (CV) output rose by 27.4% in the first quarter of 2024, the best Q1 performance since 2008, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
A tally of 32,626 vans, trucks, taxis, buses and coaches was up 18.6% on pre-pandemic 2019 volume with demand driven by export orders.
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Exports rose 57.9% to 23,060 units in the first quarter to account for 70.7% of year to date output, up from 57% in Q1 2023.
The EU remained the top export destination with nine of 10 vehicles (96.7%) heading for the bloc. Production for the UK declined 3.1% to 9,566 units.
