Strong growth in exports drove UK commercial vehicle manufacturing to grow by 12.8% in July, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

For the period covering the first seven months of the year manufacturing was down 3%, including a 13.5% fall in production in the home market, and a 3.4% rise for export markets.

This is now means that exports account for 66.6% of all CV manufacturing in the UK.

SMMT chief Mike Hawes said, “Almost seven in ten commercial vehicles manufactured in the UK are destined for overseas customers, the majority in the EU. Global appetite for the high-tech, ultra low and zero emission vehicles we produce is driving demand so it is crucial we secure the right conditions for future trade with our biggest market, the EU, including retaining the benefits of the single market and membership of the customs union.”