What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

The new light commercial vehicle market completed three months of growth in the year to 31 March and pick-up and 4x4 sales conformed to the upward trend.

Sales of pick-up trucks in the high-volume, plate-change month of March grew 29.3% year-on-year to 5,762 while sales in the niche and often volatile 4x4 sector rocketed 183.4% to 1,264, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

In the first quarter of 2023, pick-up sales were up 28.8% to 9,864 compared to the same period last year and 4x4 sales were up 132.8% to 1,858.

The Ford Ranger was the UK’s third top-selling LCV in both March and the year-to-date and the Toyota Hilux was the tenth best seller in the year to 31 March.

Ford’s stranglehold on the pick-up sector is likely to tighten further with new additions to the Ranger line-up. In March, it introduced the Wildtrak X and Tremor. Both models are off-road oriented but while the Wildtrak X sits above the Wildtrak in the line-up, the Tremor is designed as more of a workhorse. Both are powered by Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel engine producing 500Nm of torque and 205hp and are paired with ten-speed automatic transmission.

They follow hot on the heels of the introduction of the luxurious, on-road oriented Platinum, which is powered by Ford’s 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, which produces power of 240hp and maximum torque of 600Nm. 

Customers can now choose from seven Ranger derivatives once the flagship Raptor, Wildtrak, XLT and XL are factored in.

Ford expects the high-performance Raptor, which is not VAT-exempt due to its sub-1,000kg payload, to account for 7% of Ranger sales.

Meanwhile hardtop specialist Truckman has launched new accessories for the Ranger. These include four hardtops aimed at the lifestyle market: the Grand, which features pop-out windows; the GLS, with sliding side windows; the S-Series, with gull-wing doors; and the solid-sided S-Series. All include remote central locking. A range of commercial hardtops has also been developed, starting with the cab-high Truckman RS, which can be customised for commercial customers with beacons, vents, racking, and a conduit to power electrical equipment in the truck bed. High-roof commercial hardtops the Truckman Classic and Utility have also joined the range.