Mixed fortunes in January CV sales

Figures from the SMMT reveal something of a mixed bag for sales of commercial vehicles in January. Compared to January 2011, van registrations fell by 16.4 per cent, to 14,338.

For trucks (>3.5 tonne), however, it was a different story as the healthy sales of 2011 continued in January, up 45.6 per cent year on year, with 3,586 sales. These figures mean that, overall, CV registrations for the first month fell by 8.6 per cent, compared with last year.

Said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive: “Over the course of 2012 SMMT expects the CV market to be steady, ending the year marginally up on 2011. Government support for business will be key to maintaining market stability. If confidence can be maintained through the year, we should see growth in 2013.”