Sales of LCVs have started the year strongly, with a 5.9% uplift compared to the first month of 2019. In total, 23,557 new LCVs were registered in January 2020, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows.
The growth follows three months of decline towards the end of 2019 before the market returned to growth in December. Now, the pent-up demand due to regulatory changes, as well as some compelling deals on the latest models, has allowed the market to continue to recover. This is in contrast to the passenger car market, which fell by 7.3%.
Vans weighing from 2.0t to 2.5t did particularly well – growing 41.7% to 4,366. Vans under 2.0t sold 26.3% better than last year, with 2,465 registrations in January 2020.
Sales of pick-ups declined by 9.7% year-on-year, however, to 3,438.
The largest segment, 2.5 to 3.5t vans, also saw a slight drop in sales – from 13,268 to 13,154, or 0.9%.
As usual, the Ford Transit Custom was the best-selling van by far, with 3,117 sales. It was trailed by the Ford Transit at 1,897 and the Vauxhall Vivaro at 1,549.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “January’s growth is welcome news for the commercial vehicle sector. Especially welcome is the increased uptake of alternatively fuelled commercial vehicles, essential if we are to address both climate change and air quality goals.
“The fastest way to do this is by encouraging uptake of the latest low emission vehicles, regardless of fuel type, and business confidence remains vital for this transition.”
