LONDON, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- British commercial vehicle production plunged 31.2 percent year on year in July from a year earlier, recording the fourth successive month of negative growth, according to data published Thursday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Figures showed commercial vehicles production in Britain in July was only 5,043 units, 31.2 percent lower than the same month in 2018, mainly driven by the reduction in exports.
Data showed that production for both home and overseas markets dropped, down by 16.8 percent and 39.8 percent year on year respectively.
In the year to July, overall volumes slumped by 18.1 percent, with output for overseas demand plummeting by 30.7 percent, despite a 6.5 percent-rise in production for domestic buyers.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of SMMT, said: "The relatively small volumes involved in UK commercial vehicle manufacturing make it particularly susceptible to model changes and fluctuating fleet cycles."
"However, for the sector to take advantage of the currently buoyant domestic van market and grow overseas orders, which still account for the majority of production, we need to maintain competitive trading conditions to encourage future investment," Hawes said.
