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April drives new van market up

NFDA 04/05/2018

“Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations increased 3.9% 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 which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s light commercial vehicle registration figures.

All sectors in the market grew, with the only exception in the pickup market which was down -13.5%. It is positive to see that sales of bigger vans in the 2.0 - 2.5 tonne sector were up 9.2% - these models are typically used by businesses. Larger commercial fleet vehicles in the 2.5 - 3.5tonne sector increased 5.5% - 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% and 22.6% 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%.  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.”

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About the RMI

The Retail Motor Industry represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.