Record Annual CV Registrations

Commercial vehicle registrations hit an all time high last year with a record level of 389, 923 units, a figure that was up some 9.5 per cent. The SMMT also recorded the highest ever December CV registrations at 28,470.

According to the society growth remained concentrated in LCVs, particularly medium vans. 24,021 light commercial vehicles were registered in December, with a total of 329,599 units recorded for the year.

“These figures show 2004 commercial vehicle registrations breaking all UK records,” said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. “2004 has been a terrific year for vans and trucks in the UK, with registrations breaking record after record. Importantly, a wide range of factors drive demand, meaning it is reassuringly durable. And encouragingly, order books are strong too, so 2005 will be another very good year.”

Overall, medium and heavy vans continue to drive CV growth. Heavy van registrations, from 2.6 to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, were up 24.4 per cent for December and 16.1 per cent for the year. Medium van registrations, 1.8 to 2.6t gvw, showed the biggest hike, up 34.6 per cent in December and 8.1 per cent for the year. The month’s figures show modest falls for buses and coaches, as well as four axle heavy trucks and medium weight two axle rigids, 7.5 to 15t gvw.

Truck registrations were 1.3 per cent up at 56,312 for the year, despite a 1.3 per cent drop in December. Heavy trucks were down 0.9 per cent while light and medium trucks, up to 15t gvw, increased 4.8 per cent. Heavy trucks, over 15t gvw, were down 7.3 per cent in December and light and medium trucks increased 14.7 per cent.

Bus registrations were down 11.8 per cent to 2,917, whilst coach registrations were up six per cent to 1,095 for the rolling year. In December bus and coach registrations were 7.1 per cent down, with buses down 5.2 per cent and coaches falling 12.4 per cent.