Demand also rose by almost exactly a third in both domestic and export markets, with Europe buying the vast majority of exports (88%), followed by Asia (6.3%).
British CV manufacturers also closed 2015 on a high note, with output for December up 7.7% to 6,625 units produced, compared with the same period in 2014, driven equally by UK and overseas markets.
“Commercial vehicle production ended 2015 on a very positive note, with another month of growth in December resulting in a substantial boost to volumes for the year,” comments Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
“Exports continued to make up half of UK commercial vehicle demand, with more than 47,000 destined for overseas markets, fuelled by the continued recovery of our biggest trading partner, Europe.”
The figures are clearly good news for CV manufacturers in the UK, but a shadow of their former health. Back in 2009, British CV manufacturer produced nearly a quarter of a million vehicles.