Vans need to be at the centre of the reported government rethink on the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, FleetCheck is insisting. The Financial Times says that transport secretary Louise Haigh is in “listening” mode when it comes to ideas that would help manufacturers reach their targets, after Nissan became the latest manufacturer to protest against their feasibility.
A recent study conducted by Select Van Leasing into the annual UK MOT vehicle check-up shows that more than a third of vans and pick-ups submitted for an MOT in the past year failed their initial test. Around 36 per cent of light commercial vehicles failed their initial test in a 12-month period between 2023 and 2024. That’s significantly higher than the 28 per cent initial failure rate recorded by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) for cars, passenger vehicles and vans as a whole between 2023 and 2024. In the tyre segment, it is interesting to note that the MOT failure rate of vans due to tyres with tread below the legal limit at 17 per cent is below that suffered by UK vehicle MOT tests as a whole (circa 26 per cent), suggesting that UK van operators are generally better at checking and maintaining their rubber than the average motorist.
Britain’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew for the second month running in September, up 8.3 per cent to record the best performance for the month in four years, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Some 48,455 new vans, 4x4s and pickups were registered as more businesses invested in fleet renewal than any month this year bar March, encouraged by the introduction of the new ‘74’ numberplate. It means 267,339 new LCVs have joined UK roads this year, up 3.6 per cent on 2023 and the largest January-September volume since 2019.
UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew by 8.4 per cent with 23,962 vehicles joining businesses and company fleets across Britain during January, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The increase marks 13 consecutive months of growth and the highest January total since 2021, reflecting the growing role of vans in Britain’s economy, from local trades and deliveries to national retailers.
The number of UK light commercial vehicles (LCV) registered in the UK grew for the seventh consecutive month in July, increasing by 44.2 per cent to 26,990 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In the best July since 2020, registrations were also up 4.4 per cent compared with pre-pandemic 2019 volumes, a result of rising demand for new vans, pickups and 4x4s and the easing of supply chain issues constraining production.
Tructyre is introducing 80 new truck service vans to its fleet as part of a program of investment designed to meet ongoing demand. As a 100 per cent mobile tyre service provider, Tructyre operates more than 350 commercial tyre fitting vans, and these new vehicles will soon be distributed across the country.
The light commercial vehicle (LCV) market saw its first decline since December 2020 as July registrations fell -14.8 per cent, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Supply issues – most notably of semiconductors – has meant only 23,606 vans were registered during the month. Despite this challenge, the month’s performance was only a moderate -4.0 per cent decline compared to the pre-pandemic five-year average.
The buoyancy of the British van market post-lockdown is demonstrated by the swift rise in new van registrations in 2021. While certain goods and service industries have supported business continuity for van fleets during the pandemic – such as home delivery and mobile vehicle servicing – the rise in new van purchases demonstrates both confidence in the market and demand for newer, more efficient van technologies. This is good news for UK van tyre suppliers, with original equipment sales supported well in the short-term, and continuity of demand for the latest tyre models to suit new van technologies in the replacement stream, notably including electric vans.
Commenting on the SMMT’s figures for LCV registrations in May, Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) said: “It is extremely positive to see that light commercial vehicle registrations continued their upward trend with record sales in May, as increased confidence in the sector continues post lockdown.”
The light commercial vehicle (LCV) market had another record-setting month, with 29,354 vans registered in May, according to the latest figures from the SMMT. It was the best May performance on record for the LCV market, 4.7 per cent up on pre-pandemic levels as the increasing sector confidence continues beyond lockdowns, when demand for deliveries, e-commerce and essential services first put commercial vehicles to the test.
LKQ Euro Car Parts has launched an electric vehicle (EV) trial on the Isle of Wight. The trial will see an electric Vauxhall Vivaro and an electric Renault Kangoo join the island’s fleet for six months, with two charge points installed to power them. The Isle of Wight was chosen for the trial following a review of LKQ Euro Car Parts’ national fleet, taking into account charge point infrastructure, to identify branches with vans whose typical mileage is suited to the range and capability of an EV.
SMMT figures show that the new light commercial vehicle market grew by 85.5 per cent in March with 56,122 vans joining UK roads with the ’21 new number plate. Usually one of the busiest months of the year, March saw the largest-ever increase since the switch to the two plate system in 1999, but one which still represented an -10.9 per cent decrease when compared to the pre-pandemic 2015-2019 average, as prolonged nationwide lockdown continued to suppress business confidence in the first quarter of the year.
Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations ended 2020 down -20.0 per cent, with the van market rounding off the year in decline following three months of growth. 292,657 vehicles were registered in 2020, as the impact of Covid and uncertainty over the future relationship with the EU brought down demand toward the end of the year, with registrations in the final month of the year dropping -1.0 per cent, albeit with volumes consistent with previous Decembers.
Much has been written about the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown and it is fair to say that, in general, these effects are perceived as negative. However, not everyone are wringing their hands and moaning about how awful it all is – auction houses have been reporting a strong market in used vans during the month of September, with demand exceeding supply, thus pushing up used van values past last year’s levels.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has announced the first growth month for the UK’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) market since January. There was a 7.1 per cent increase in registrations in July, with 27,701 new LCVs joined Britain’s roads.
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