UK commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing output was up 12.6% in December, the first month of growth since July 2013.
Output fell 19.7% in 2014, but the month of growth heralds a bright future, according to the SMMT.
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Growing demand at home helped to drive December growth, despite “deflated” export markets, it said.
“The growth of commercial vehicle manufacturing output in December represents a turning point in the sector’s fortunes,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
“A ramping up of new model production, as well as a thriving home market, is expected to yield a stronger 2015, while the effects of restructuring in 2013 will no longer be felt.”
| CV manufacturing | Dec-13 | Dec-14 | % Change | YTD-13 | YTD-14 | % Change |
| Total | 5,163 | 5,815 | 12.6% | 88,110 | 70,731 | -19.7% |
| Home | 1,041 | 2,891 | 177.7% | 40,200 | 35,909 | -10.7% |
| Export | 4,122 | 2,924 | -29.1% | 47,910 | 34,822 | -27.3% |
| % export | 79.8% | 50.3% | 54.4% | 49.2% |
