September signalled the ninth month of consecutive registrations growth for the van market, as annual van registrations passed the 250,000 mark last month.
According to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the market grew by 28% overall year-on-year. Close to 45,000 new LCVs joined the UK road network last month – around 10,000 more than in September 2022. September is traditionally one of the most popular months of the year to register a new LCV, due to the new name plates.
4×4 registrations for August grew by an impressive 142% when compared to the same month last year, and sales of mid-size vans (between two and two-and-a-half tonnes) and pickups also grew by 89% and 64% respectively. In what is becoming a continuing trend, the sales of light vans under two tonnes fell by 13% last month.
Large vans (between two-and-a-half and three-an-a-half tonnes) still make up the large majority of new van sales, and this sector grew by 13% year-on-year.
Though sales are on the rise, the supply issues manufacturers are facing haven’t entirely dissipated, and the War in Ukraine and China’s persistent Covid-19 issues could cause further supply strain in the months to come.
Electric LCV registrations up 86% in September
The number of LCV buyers opting for a battery-powered vehicle (BEV) has continued to grow throughout 2023. September was no different, as around 2,900 new BEVs were registered in the UK last month – 1,300 more than the same month last year.
With more than 25 electric van models now available in the UK, battery-powered vans are responsible for one in 16 new LCV registrations. Diesel power still dominates, accounting for 90% of the market in September.
The SMMT reports that BEV sales growth is reaching new heights due to the government’s Plug-in Van Grant, competitive running costs and increasing model choice. That said, the organisation adds that public charging infrastructure for these electric LCVs needs immediate improvement to see continued growth.
“Urgent measures are needed to grow operator confidence to invest now, in 2024 and beyond”, says SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. “In particular, the specific needs of van operators must be considered when planning public charging strategies.”
Good month, bad month
Just like the passenger car market, the LCV industry has been hindered by supply shortages for over two years now, and each van manufacturer has been dealing with supply issues to varying degrees.
The most impressive sales increase belongs to Toyota, which totalled an excellent 166% growth in registrations in September. Citroën, Renault, Nissan, Peugeot, and Land Rover also outperformed the overall market by more than 10% last month.
Conversely, it wasn’t a healthy month of sales for the likes of Ford, Fiat, Vauxhall, and Mercedes-Benz. All of these brands underachieved compared to the overall market by at least 10% (and in some cases, by a lot more than that).
Ford Transit Custom in commanding sales lead
As we approach the final few months of 2023, the annual sales race has settled into a consistent ranking at the top with the last-year’s best-selling LCV, the Transit Custom, building a commanding sales lead. The larger Transit is also becoming a permanent fixture in second place, as Ford locked out the top two spots in September.
The Vauxhall Vivaro was the UK’s ‘best-of-the-rest’ candidate once again in September, the fourth month running, and it holds on to third in the annual rankings as a consequence. Vauxhall says that its Vivaro Electric is the best-selling BEV in the UK so far.
The Ford Ranger pickup is still the UK’s best-selling pickup model by a country mile, and after dropping out of the monthly standings in August, it reappears in fourth in September.
The Volkswagen Transporter, Renault Trafic, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sit in the middle of the pack, while the Toyota Hilux, Peugeot Expert and Citroën Relay complete the September rankings.
