November a record month for UK van sales

The UK’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market achieved a record-breaking performance in November, according to SMMT figures. 29,784 new vans hit the roads last month – the most for two decades.

A 43.1 per cent uplift in smaller vans weighing 2.0-2.5T drove growth in the month, while demand for versatile pick-ups also continued to rise – by a significant 36.7 per cent. Demand for heavier vans, meanwhile, fell for the second consecutive month, with registrations for vehicles weighing 2.5-3.5T down -4.4 per cent. However, year-to-date this segment remains strong, up 7.0 per cent in the first 11 months of the year, and accounting for 62 per cent of the market.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The new van market’s growth in November is welcome news and an encouraging sign of ongoing business confidence. With almost 350,000 light commercials registered so far this year, the sector remains on track to beat 2015’s record-breaking performance. For this success to continue in 2017 and beyond, however, it is essential that the economic conditions that have kept this sector so buoyant in recent years are maintained.”