April drives up YTD van registration figures

April van sales have helped to drive up year-to-date figures for light commercial registrations. “Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations increased 3.9 per cent compared to the same period last year for which there were there were no changes in road tax,” said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association.

All sectors in the market grew, with the only exception in the pickup market which was down -13.5 per cent. It is positive to see that sales of bigger vans in the 2.0-2.5 tonne sector were up 9.2 per cent – these models are typically used by businesses. Larger commercial fleet vehicles in the 2.5-3.5tonne sector increased 5.5 per cent – indicating heightened confidence in business and commerce.

It is important to monitor these two sectors closely, as they jointly represent the biggest sector of business purchased commercials. Overall 189,601 of these vans have been put on the roads in the first 4 months of this year.

Trucks and vans in the 3.5 – 6.0 tonne sector are often purchased by municipal authorities as they need to use an operator’s licence, and this year has seen both parts of the sector increase 28.8 per cent and 22.6 per cent to date. Although it is a small market, demand is driving registrations.

Robinson continues, “The year-to-date percentage of all light commercials is still down -2.3 per cent.  Much of this comes from the slow start to the year and there still are inconsistences in demand, however most CV dealer members are optimistic that registrations will improve over the coming months.”