Commercial vehicle sales up

"Commercial vehicle sales remain strong with around 23 per cent growth in August. Whilst economic uncertainty is ever present, truck and van sales are retaining their strength with all sectors in the market performing better than last year." said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures.

The latest new van and truck sales figures show month on month sales were up 22.8 per cent on 2010 and up 22 per cent on the rolling year. While the market as a whole has continued to grow at a great rate economic uncertainty may moderate future growth.

Robinson continued: “In the van sector 2-2.5ton vans saw a massive increase of 52 per cent. Larger vans (up to 3.5ton) also performed well with sales increasing by 19.3 per cent. Year to date larger vans are up by 23.3 per cent. The slowdown in growth in August may indicate a slowdown in corporate van purchases.

“In the truck sector 6-16ton trucks saw a massive increase of 57 per cent. Year to date 6-16ton trucks have only seen a 6.8 per cent increase. The substantial rise in this month’s sales indicates greater confidence held by smaller businesses and owner operators that tend to purchase these kinds of vehicles. Another encouraging indicator in the heavy truck sector comes from large rigid trucks (over 16ton) where year to date sales have increased by 23.5 per cent. This could indicate that the construction trade is picking up and demand for this type of truck is increasing. Throughout the year articulated tractor units have been the best performer in the overall truck sector with an increase in sales of nearly 88 per cent year to date.”