Van sales in the UK have held steady in February, virtually matching those in the same month a year ago.
However the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), which compiles the registration figures, points out that the February 2015 figures were a seven-year high point for the market.
Light Commercial Vehicle registrations over the past month – traditionally one of the quietest of the year – totalled 13,891.
Notable among the figures was an apparent shift to larger vehicles. Registrations of new vans below 2.0 tonnes and between 2.0-2.5 tonnes fell by 10.5 per cent and 23.9 per cent respectively in the month, while the 2.5-3.5 tonne segment – by far the largest part of the market in volume – grew 6.2 per cent as demand for heavier vehicles continued to grow.
According to SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, a record-breaking year for new van registrations in 2015 made it inevitable that such rapid growth would level off.
“The market’s performance so far this year is in line with expectations, and although further stabilisation is expected over the coming months, this is a sector in good health – with February’s figures still at high levels,” Hawes says.
Ford is continuing to dominate the LCV market, its share year-to-date having increased from 27 per cent in 2015 to almost 31 per cent. Volkswagen holds second on 11.4 per cent, followed by Vauxhall (10.9), Peugeot (9.2), Citroën (8.9) and Mercedes-Benz (5.87).
