UK commercial-vehicle manufacturing saw double-digit growth in August (compared with August 2016), according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)(www.smmt.co.uk). These show that 3,744 CVs were built in Britain in August, an increase of 17.6%.

Exports grew 61.7% compared with August 2016, thanks to increased EU demand, offsetting a decline in domestic sales, which fell for the 15th consecutive month.

Meanwhile, overall production for the first eight months of 2017 was down on the same period of 2016, with output falling by 9.4% as growing demand from overseas customers — up 8.2% in the first eight months — did not
offset losses in the domestic market.

A total of 33,524 vans, trucks and buses had been shipped abroad by the end of August (mostly to EU markets), with exports accounting for almost two thirds (62.1%) of UK CV production.

It was also a positive picture for engine manufacture in August, with more than 150,000 units made for export and home markets — an 11.9% increase compared with August 2016.

Overseas demand was up 20%, and more than 1.7 million new British engines were made in the first eight months of 2017 — 55.8% for export.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, said: “It is great to see recent significant spending on production facilities and new technology continuing to deliver returns.

"However, for UK engine plants to keep attracting this investment, it’s crucial that we maintain barrier-free trade with our key markets to ensure that demand for new cars and the engines that power them stays strong.”

However, British car manufacturing fell in August as both domestic and overseas demand declined. According to SMMT data, 103,232 cars left UK factories in August — a fall of 5.3%. compared with August 2016.

Production for the domestic market dropped 4.4% to 26,594 units, while output for overseas customers was down 5.6% to 76,638 units. A total of 1,106,285 cars were produced in the first eight months of the year.

Mr Hawes added: “It is common to see fluctuations during the summer months, as output varies according to the timing and duration of holiday factory shutdowns.

However, the continuation of the longer-term downward trend in domestic demand is a concern for production across the UK.”