UK van production surges in July
UK commercial vehicle production grew in July, and was the only sector to do so according to a report from the Society of Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
This increase in production was no doubt boosted by the Ford Transit, which is built in Southampton, and the Vauxhall Vivaro van that is built in the company’s plant in Luton.
9,494 commercial vehicles were produced in the UK last month, an increase of 10.7 per cent on compared to June.
69.5 per cent, 6584, of these vehicles were exported while the remaining 30.5 per cent, 2,900, stayed on British soil.
This takes year-to-date production numbers up 43.2 per cent on 2009 to 74,100. Of this amount 69.6 per cent, 51,594, were exported with 30.4 per cent remaining in the UK.
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt surmised: “Economic growth has returned to all major markets around the world."
The British-built Ford Transit and Vauxhall Vivaro are priced from £17,155 and £17, 691 respectively.