LONDON, April 30 (Xinhua) -- British commercial vehicle (CV) production reached 27,513 units in the first quarter of 2019, hitting the strongest Q1 performance since 2012, according to figures released Tuesday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Data showed CV production across Britain, including vans, trucks and buses, rose by 41.2 percent year-on-year.

In March, CV production increased by 24.5 percent, compared with one year earlier, to 9,098 vehicles. The hike of the domestic market production made the biggest contribution.

Data showed the number of CV manufacturing produced in March for the domestic market increased by 58.6 percent to 4,010 units, while export increased by 6.5 percent to 5,088.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of SMMT, said, "It's certainly positive to see growth in the commercial vehicle market, but with ongoing Brexit uncertainty and the natural variability of buying cycles, we're likely to see some turbulence in the months ahead."

"With the majority of commercial vehicles we build in the UK going to EU customers, it's crucial that we quickly agree a deal that retains free and frictionless trade with our most important trading partner," said Hawes.

"The sooner a favorable deal is in place, the quicker we can be confident about the future," Hawes added.