British business automobile (CV) manufacturing grew 8.6% in August as 6,660 models rolled out of UK factories, in line with new figures revealed at the moment by the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT). One of the best August quantity for 11 years continues the constructive pattern, with a fifth consecutive month of rising CV output as producers attempt to ship the most recent, greenest fashions to operators.

Elevated output was pushed primarily by UK demand, up 24.4% to succeed in 3,066 models, whereas exports declined by a marginal -2.0% to three,594. Regardless of this, British CV manufacturing continues to be export led, with 54.0% of all output heading abroad final month. Nearly all of these exports (91.8%) had been shipped into the EU – highlighting the significance of secure, tariff-free commerce with the bloc to make sure the sector continues to ship long-term financial development and well-paid jobs, and to draw additional funding to the UK.

Within the yr thus far, UK CV manufacturing has reached 74,188 models, an increase of 14.4% on 2022 – rounding off the perfect first eight months to a yr since 2011 and a few 62.2% above pre-pandemic ranges¹. Exports have pushed this spectacular development, up 23.0%, with 46,789 models exported representing 63.1% of every part made.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Government, mentioned,

2023 has been a hit story for British business automobile manufacturing, with sturdy demand from operators within the UK and abroad. With new electrical van manufacturing now approaching stream, the rapid future is constructive and we count on volumes to develop nonetheless additional this yr.

To safe future funding, nevertheless, we’d like regulatory and commerce certainty, not least a UK-EU settlement to delay harder guidelines of origin that may harm competitiveness throughout the Channel. With the harder guidelines as a consequence of begin in lower than 100 days, time is of the essence.

1 January-August 2011: 76,980 models; January-August 2019: 45,740 models.

SOURCE: SMMT