Caravan Insurance

New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that van production increased slightly last year, thanks largely to a strong export market.

Nearly 208,000 commercial vehicles were built in Britain during 2006, up 0.5 per cent year-on-year, with nearly two thirds of them sent overseas, indicating the UK's increasing status in this sector as primarily an exporter nation.

UK Van Insurance

Similar trends were seen during the last month of the year, when production was up by a tenth from December 2005 at almost 15,000, of which exports again accounted for nearly two out of every three models built.

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan commented: "Production of commercial vehicles in the UK increased slightly in 2006 - with an increase in exports driving growth.

"Heavy commercials slowed but the market remains stable with van output staying buoyant due to sustained demand for light commercial vehicles in Europe."

The proportion of vehicles built for overseas use increased by nearly five per cent in 2006, with the total number manufactured for export was at its highest level in the past two decades, while the amount constructed for domestic consumption was at its lowest.

Overall, last year saw the second highest yearly production figure since 1998, with the amount built having now surpassed 200,000 for the past three years in a row after half a decade in which it did not reach that target.

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