June LCV sales down nearly six per cent

British light commercial vehicle (LCVs) registrations declined in June, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 35,182 new vans and pickups were registered last month, representing a -5.8 per cent decline on June 2017.

Small, medium and large sized vans all saw demand fall in the month, down -18.2 per cent, -7.3 per cent and -6.4 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, the number of pickups joining British roads increased in June, up 4.1 per cent to 5,019 units.

Year-to-date, 180,696 new LCVs have been registered, a drop of -2.3 per cent on the first half of 2017, with the bulk of the decline in the market for vans weighing more than 2.5-3.5 tonnes. However, demand remains at a high level, up more than a third (35.7 per cent) on the same period five years ago.1

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “UK van registrations have fluctuated throughout the first half of this year, reflecting variable buying cycles which are a natural feature of the market. Despite this and recognising the fact that demand is still at a historically high level, the overall trend is downwards, with Brexit uncertainty and its negative effect on business confidence threatening long-term growth.”