The new van market achieved a record-breaking performance in November, with 29,784 LCVs registered – the highest on record for the month.
High demand for vans weighing between 2.0-2.5-tonnes drove a 43.1% uplift to 4,929 compared with November 2015.
However, sales of vans in the biggest volume sector, 2.5-3.5-tonnes, fell by 4.4% to 18,316 units.
The booming pick-up sector continued to grow, up 36.7%, but registrations in the sub-two tonne category dropped by 9.7%.
“The new van market’s growth in November is welcome news and an encouraging sign of ongoing business confidence,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “With almost 350,000 light commercials registered so far this year, the sector remains on track to beat 2015’s record-breaking performance. For this success to continue in 2017 and beyond, however, it is essential that the economic conditions that have kept this sector so buoyant in recent years are maintained.”
Overall, the new van market grew by 2.5% compared to November 2015, while year-on-year figures are ahead by 2.1%, with 348,440 new vans being registered so far this year.
