Today SMMT published the latest UK production figures for commercial vehicles with more than 8,360 buses, coaches, vans, taxis and trucks rolling off factory lines in February. The total is more than a third (-35.9%) down on last year, primarily due to by reduced van production, but also because the comparison is with a strong February last year when output almost doubled. More than half (55.2%) of all vehicles made last month were marked for sale in Britain while, of the sizeable remainder going to export, some 93.8% headed to the EU.
The overall decline highlights the need to improve Britain’s competitiveness and the industry would benefit from the publication of government’s industrial and trade strategies, which can help ensure CV manufacturers have access to more affordable, green energy, beneficial free and fair trade agreements, and strong UK markets for the vehicles they make here. Given the government has ambitious targets for van and truck decarbonisation, it is unfortunate that yesterday’s Spring Statement by the Chancellor did not provide much needed support, such as van-suitable charging infrastructure and a replacement of the Plug-in Truck Grant.
Zero emission vehicle rollout in the bus sector has been impressive in recent years and, positively, government’s new UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel met for the first time recently to discuss how to grow our domestic industry’s footprint. The panel will focus on boosting UK production of vehicles and components – given the bus sector’s domestic supply chain is substantial and diverse – while supporting skills in the wider workforce and improving public transport access.
I was delighted to attend an event at a major HGV manufacturer in the North West this week, with the chance to see zero emission trucks rolling off the production line. A number of fleet operators that have won funding from government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure (ZEHID) programme were also present, getting a close-up view of the exciting new technology that will soon join their fleets. It is inspiring to see how factories are evolving to build the very greenest models, sometimes on the same production line as internal combustion engine models. We’re at a moment in history where both are coexisting to meet the needs of fleet operators as we move to a long-term zero emission future, but how fast we’re able to complete our transition depends on the right support, and strategies, for every part of the CV sector.
