Van registrations soared by 24% in March as confident businesses headed for showrooms.
In total 61,894 new vans were registered, according to figures issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), contributing to total commercial market growth of more than 25%.
According to SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes the continued upturn in the market, and the third month of consecutive growth, can be attributed to higher levels of consumer and business confidence.
“In the van and truck markets, there has been a clear shift towards the larger vehicles in the sector in the first three months of the year,” Hawes says.
“Both 2.5 – 3.5-tonne vans and three-axle articulated trucks have seen a sharp increase in registrations as operators seek to make their fleets as flexible and cost-effective as possible.”
The 2.5-3.5t sector, the biggest in the van market, saw growth of 24% to 34,007 units, though the biggest growth in percentage terms was in the 4×4 market, the 2,349 registrations more than double those in March 2014.
Ford continues to dominate the van market, growing its share from 22% in March 2014 to 26% last month. Volkswagen had the second-best March performance with 11.9% of the market, followed by Vauxhall (11.2%), Peugeot (9.9%) and Citroen (8.7%). According to Ford the brand’s CV sales are at their highest level ever recorded, up 43% on March 2014.
