Light commercial vehicle registrations notably fell once again year-on-year in August, according to numbers published this morning by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Overall numbers were down by 13% compared to the same month last year, mostly due to declining new large van sales. Around 14,300 new LCVs arrived on British roads in August, down from the 16,500 new vans registered in the UK in August 2024.
This marks the Ninth straight month of LCV sales decline, with no respite in sight for the industry. It wasn’t all doom and gloom however, as year-on-year demand for new electric vans surged 110% last month, as the battery-powered sector claimed around 900 more sales than August last year.
While the electric van (BEV) category now accounts for 9% of the overall market (government target for this year is 16%), new diesels still dominate. That said, diesel sales have dropped by 18% since the year began, now responsible for 86% of the new LCV market.
The biggest percentage sales decline in August belongs to the small (under 2.0 tonnes) van segment, which was down 18% 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 12%, while both the mid-size (2.0 to 2.5 tonnes) segment and 4x4s sales declined 14%. The pick-up category also couldn’t escape the sales slump, down 26%.
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 over 35,000 units year-to-date) much faster than electric van sales are growing (up by around 6,700 units year-to-date).
Ford Transit Custom bolsters insurmountable sales lead
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 holds its title of ‘most popular LCV option that isn’t a Ford’ in the UK, extending its sales lead over the Vauxhall Vivaro. The Mercedes-Benz remains outside the annual top three however – third place is currently held by the Ford Ranger, which is the UK’s most popular pick-up by a country mile.
You must be logged in to post a comment.