Record half year too for CV sales

Matching the record-setting pace of car registrations in the country, June registration figures of 35,742 vans and 4,568 trucks helped commercial vehicle registrations reach record half-year total of 209,515, says the SMMT.

Strong growth in van market was the defining factor, with an all-time high of 186,404 vehicles registered in the first six months.

Truck registrations also continued to post large gains, with registrations up more than 40 per cent in both June and the year-to-date.

“The record half-year total for commercial vehicle registrations is not unexpected given the significant gains being made in the van market,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “Registrations of vans have been increasing strongly for some time, underpinned by economic confidence among large and small businesses, as well as the growing trend for home deliveries.

“The significant rise in truck registrations in June mirrors the sector’s performance in the year so far as it readjusts from the regulatory changes of 2014, while once again it was the heavier vehicles in van, artic and rigid segments that posted the largest rises.”