Van Rise Continues, Trucks Back from Nadir in UK Registrations

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that the upturn in van registrations of recent months continued in October, with 18,147 new registrations making a 22.4 per cent increase on September’s figures. Truck registrations recorded a spectacular-sounding 79.9 per cent rise on September, though that month was represented by the lowest figures in recent memory. 3,158 new trucks were registered.

In year to date figures, 186,701 vans have now been registered, up 18.8 per cent on the same ten months in 2009, while only 27,578 new trucks are on the UK’s roads, down 9.8 per cent year-on-year. “The sustained increase in commercial vehicle registrations provides confirmation that the economy is continuing to recover,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.  “Vans continue to lead the recovery, with volumes up for the ninth successive month.  We expect next year will be tough but with slow, steady growth improving confidence and demand.”