LCV market sales decline continues in July

Light commercial vehicle registrations are continuing their downward trend in 2025, according to numbers published this morning by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Overall numbers were down by 5% compared to the same month last year, mostly due to declining new large van sales. The SMMT has revised its expected annual LCV sales down to 321,000 – around 30,000 less than previously predicted – citing “rough economic conditions and weak business confidence.”

It was the eighth straight month of LCV registrations decline year-on-year in July, with no respite in sight for the industry.

The biggest decline in July was in the Small (under 2.0 tonnes) van segment, which was down 21% on the same month last year. Large diesel LCV segment (2.5 to 3.5 tonnes) which account for the largest share of new registrations, instead fell by 5%. The mid-size (2.0 to 2.5 tonnes) segment and 4x4s were up by 3% and 0.5% respectively, while pick-up registrations declined by 17%.

There continues to be growth in electric vans uptake, with a significant 73% increase in battery-powered LCV sales last month. That said, electric vans still only account for around 9% of the overall market , meaning the industry is well behind the government’s 2025 EV mandate target of 16%.

In year-to-date terms, the overall market is down by a worrying 11%, thanks to sluggish sales for mid-size and large vans. While the SMMT and other industry lobbyists continue to bang the table for more EV subsidies from the government, this overlooks the fact that diesel van sales are falling (down nearly 32,300 units year-to-date) much faster than electric van sales are growing (up by around 5,700 units year-to-date).

Ford Transit Custom sales domination continues

To pretty much no-one’s surprise, the popular Ford Transit Custom has topped the monthly LCV sales leaderboard – as it has every month since the year began. The Transit Custom was followed by the larger Transit in seconds and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in third.

Thanks to its third place finish in the monthly standings, the Sprinter is now the most popular LCV option that isn’t a Ford in the UK, leapfrogging the Vauxhall Vivaro. The Mercedes-Benz remains outside the annual top three however – third place is currently held by the Ford Rnager, which is the UK’s most popular pick-up by a country mile.