The minivan sector is enduring a torrid time in terms of new sales.

In April, just 428 vans weighing less than 2.0-tonnes found buyers, a drop of almost 50% (48.2%) compared to the same month in 2022, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and this in a market that is in recovery mode overall.

It is partly a reflection of the market trend towards larger vans driven by the surge in home deliveries but the fall from grace is spectacular nonetheless.

Demand for the smallest vans has now suffered the ignominy of falling behind the niche 4×4 segment. In the first four months of the year 1,894 minivans were sold compared to 2,432 4x4s. In the year to 30 April 2022 the respective figures were 2,625 Minivans compared to 920 4x4s.

With models such as Fiat Professional’s Fiorino, Citroën’s Nemo and Peugeot’s Bipper either going, in the case of the Fiorino, or gone, the decline in the sector looks terminal, especially with Ford having pulled the plug on the car-derived Fiesta Van.

Most significantly, however, Ford has beefed up the successor to its compact cubed city van, the Transit Courier, so that when the new version comes to market in petrol and diesel guises later this year, followed by the E-Transit Courier in 2024, it will pretty much stand shoulder to shoulder with the larger Transit Connect. It has a load volume of 2.9m³, compared to 2.3m3 on the outgoing model. Load volumes on the current Connect go up to 3.2m3. The next generation Connect will be based on the Volkswagen Caddy under the brands’ product-sharing agreement. In long-wheelbase Maxi format, the Caddy has a cargo space of 3.7m3. 

The 2.0 to 2.5-tonne weight bracket is in much better shape than the sub-2.0-tonne segment, however. Sales in April leapt 104% to 4,318 year-on-year and were up 36% in the year-to-date to 20,088 units.

The Citroën Berlingo was the fourth best-selling van overall in April with registrations of 1,273 while its Stellantis stablemate the Peugeot Partner (1,041) was the seventh best seller.

The Berlingo (5,511), Transit Connect (4,762) and Partner (3,856) were also in the top ten for the year-to-date.

Mercedes launched its new-generation Citan in the first quarter of the year. Once more based on the Renault Kangoo, the first models to arrive were in diesel, L1, panel van spec, with prices starting from £21,310 excluding VAT. L2, crew van, and electric variants will follow later this year.

The range includes two trim levels – Progressive and Premium. With the L1 bodystyle, there is a load length of 1,806mm, and a payload capability of 667kg with Progressive trim, and 666kg with premium. Both are rated to tow trailers up to a maximum gross train weight of 3,500kg.

With the departure of the Fiesta van from the scene, Toyota’s Corolla Commercial is the only remaining car-derived van in the compact van sector. Updated this year, it is finding favour with fleets as well as owner-drivers. Electrical services company Barlows has recently added 22 Corolla Commercial vans to its fleet.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh-based The Roof Company has taken on a pair of Nissan Townstar vans.

Calendar

Mercedes-Benz Citan March 2023

Toyota Corolla Commercial facelift March 2023

Ford Transit Connect (est) September 2023

Ford Transit Courier September 2023

Ford Transit E-Courier January 2024