New Market Analysis: Medium Vans

With new LCV sales increasing 21% last year to 341,455, according to the SMMT, it was no surprise to see the dominant 2.5t to 3.5t segment driving the market forward with its 228,442 registrations (up 9.4% year-on-year), commanding 67% of the overall total.

Nor was it a surprise to see the Ford Transit Custom sitting pretty on its usual perch at the top of the sales chart, having notched up 40,865 registrations.

The second best-selling medium van in 2023 was the Vauxhall Vivaro (20,477), ahead of the Volkswagen Transporter (17,487), the resurgent Renault Trafic (16,041) and the Peugeot Expert some way back (7,203).

There was a slight hiccup for medium and large van sales at the start of 2024 with volume down 4.5% year-on-year in January to 14,839 but the sector returned to growth in February – up 1.4% to 12,300, although in a rare occurrence, the Transit Custom was knocked off the top of the sales chart by its big brother, the Transit.

The Vauxhall Vivaro Electric is the UK’s best-selling electric van and the brand’s historic Luton plant has now been confirmed as a manufacturing base for all of the medium electric vans from the Stellantis group, to which Vauxhall/Opel belongs.

Production will begin in the first half of 2025 in limited numbers alongside production of internal combustion engine (ICE) models. Luton will produce the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, Opel Vivaro Electric, Peugeot E-Expert, Citroen ë-Dispatch and Fiat Professional E-Scudo.

Vauxhall revealed updated versions of its Vivaro and Vivaro Electric medium vans in November. Both models gain Vauxhall’s ‘Vizor’ front-end styling treatment, with LED headlights available. The Vivaro Electric has received a 12-mile range boost to 217 miles on the WLTP cycle compared to the previous version. A new e-Power Take-off Unit has also been introduced, which can be used to supply smaller tools or fridge units for cooled vans with power from the traction battery. Inside both models, a new 10in digital driver display is available, as is a 10in infotainment touchscreen. Newly available assistance systems include Dynamic Surround Vision, which features cameras above the rear doors and under the passenger-side mirror. There is a choice of Prime and Pro trim levels, two vehicle lengths, and panel van, double-cab and platform-chassis variants.

Toyota has opened orders for a refreshed version of its Proace medium van. It gets updated front-end styling and is available as a medium or long panel van, a crew cab and a platform cab, and with a choice of 120hp, 145hp and 177hp diesel engines. Trim levels on offer are Active, Icon, Icon Premium, and the new Sport.

Renault has announced UK specs and prices for its forthcoming electric medium van, the Trafic E-Tech. The model will be available with a choice of two vehicle lengths and two heights with load spaces ranging from 5.8m³ to 8.9m³ – the long version can accommodate loads up to 4.15m in length thanks to a load-through facility. Towing capacity is up to 920kg, and maximum payload is 1,222kg. Power comes from a 120hp electric motor, while a 52kWh battery allows a range of up to 186 miles on the WLTP combined cycle. First deliveries are expected in September and prices start at £34,500, excluding VAT and including the Plug-in Van Grant.