The UK new LCV market saw registrations fall year-on-year for the third month in a row in February.
Registrations were down by 19.3%, for the weakest February market seen since 2020.
The 2.5-3.5t van sector saw registrations fall by 19.3% year-on-year, to 9,962, while vans weighing 2.0-2.5t were down by 33%, to 2,119.
Vans weighing less than 2.0t were the only market sector to see registrations increase, by 55.3%, to 427.
Pick-up trucks were down by 4.8%, to 1,804, while 4x4s were down by 45.7%, to 164.
There was a strong increase in electric van registrations, up by 55.1%, to 1,413 units, representing a 9.7% market share. However, this was still down on the 16% level required by the UK Government’s ZEV mandate.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which publishes the data, said: “Against an increasingly difficult economic backdrop, van manufacturers have shown resilience, but the decline was perhaps inevitable after two years of strong performance.
“Even in a contracting market, however, zero emission uptake is positive but still struggles to match the ambition of regulation.
“While the ongoing Plug-in Van Grant provides a lifeline, we still need support to bolster operator confidence, boost demand and deliver decarbonisation.
“Industry has committed billions to this vital transition and the [ZEV] mandate review must deliver workable measures that enable that commitment to deliver our shared ambition.”
The Ford Transit Custom took its usual place as the UK’s most in-demand LCV in February, with 2,361 registrations, ahead of the Vauxhall Vivaro with 1,331, and the Ford Transit with 1,154.
Completing the top ten were the Ford Ranger (1,041 registrations), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (935), Citroen Berlingo (578), Renault Trafic (457), Peugeot Expert (422), Toyota Hilux (374), and Ford Transit Courier (354).
