UK new LCV registrations rose by 2.4% year-on-year in October, marking three consecutive months of growth.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which publishes the data, last month’s total of 26,974 registrations also represented the market’s strongest October for three years.
The overall increase came despite the biggest sector of the market, for 2.5-3.5t vans, recording a 2.7% year-on-year fall in October, with 17,683 registrations.
Vans weighing 2.0-2.5t were up by 49.6%, to 5,688, and vans weighing less than 2.0t were up by 55.9% to 683. Pick-up truck registrations were down by 18.9%, to 2,686, and 4x4s were down by 62%, to 234.
It was a strong month for electric van registrations, with these up by 61.8% to 2,263 units registered. However, the SMMT warned that EVs were still down by 1.9% for the year to date.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The continued growth in demand for new vans is encouraging given this sector is a barometer of the health of Britain’s businesses.
“Industry has invested huge sums delivering cutting-edge technology, including zero emission vehicles, but low demand raises serious doubt over the ability of the UK to achieve its ambitious green targets.
“There must be an urgent review of the market, regulation and support in place, else the cost will soon be felt in reduced UK investment, economic growth, jobs and decarbonisation.”
The Ford Transit Custom topped the registrations chart in October with 3,400, ahead of the Ford Transit with 2,921 and the Peugeot Partner with 1,821. Competing the top ten were the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (1,553 registrations), the Ford Ranger (1,407), the Vauxhall Combo (1,287), the Peugeot Expert (1,175), the Renault Trafic (1,065), the Vauxhall Vivaro (895), and the Volkswagen Crafter (839).
