Sales of new vans in the UK are still growing, though the increase was a modest 1.2 per cent in January.
According to new figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), a total of 21,363 new light-commercial vehicles were registered in the month.
The heaviest van sector, between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, increased by 5.6 per cent to 12,617. However 2.0-2.5 tonne vehicles dropped 3.1 per cent to 3,169, while the smallest vans saw the biggest percentage drop, the 2,084 registrations 16.2 per cent down.
Pick-ups attract buyers
Pick-ups continue to be popular, 28.9 per cent up at 3,479 registrations, but it is the opposite story with 4x4s. In January 2016 928 were registered, a year later the figure was a mere 54.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes describes the January figures as positive, showing the strength of the market continuing into 2017. “With the success of the sector so closely linked to business confidence, the government must ensure the conditions that have delivered this growth are maintained,” he says.
The van registrations top ten continues to be dominated by Ford with three models heading the charts. The combined registrations of the Ford Transit Custom (3,076), Transit (1,790) and Transit Connect (1,288) total close to the entire figures of the other seven models in the chart.
