New Market Analysis: Pick-ups and 4x4s

Date: Monday, August 14, 2023 | Author: James Dallas

Sales of pick-up trucks and all-wheel drive LCVs have led from the front as the market has recovered in 2023.

With the new LCV market firmly set in recovery mode in 2023, sales of both pick-up trucks and 4x4 vans are in rude health.

In June, pick-up registrations were up 40.8% to 3,390 year-on-year and 4x4 registrations were up by 180.1% to 801 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Over the first six months of the year, pick-up sales grew 22.4% to 18,353 compared with the same period in 2022, and demand for 4x4s rocketed 199.9%, resulting in 3,848 registrations. With 9,464 examples sold, the Ford Ranger was not only the UK’s best-selling pick-up but also the third most popular LCV overall in the first half of 2023.

Turning to product news, Isuzu has approved a range of accessories from ARB UK for its D-Max pick-up truck.

The accessories from the 4x4 division of Truckman include drawer systems with slide-out kitchens, rooftop tents, awnings and other camping gear, roof racks, recovery equipment and canopies. Isuzu has also revealed an Expedition Edition show vehicle version of the D-Max V-Cross equipped with ARB accessories such as a canopy, roof tent, awning and kitchen unit.

Meanwhile, Bassadone Automotive Group, the parent company of Ssangyong Motors UK, is fighting to retain the Ssangyong name for the vehicles it imports to the UK, which include the Musso pick-up truck.

Following its takeover by the KG Group in August 2022, the Korean manufacturer, Ssangyong Motor Group, confirmed it would rebrand as KG Mobility in its domestic market this year.

Ssangyong Motors UK, however, alongside other European importers, wants to stick with the Ssangyong name it has been marketing the brand under since 2011.

The Musso pick-up truck is currently the best-selling vehicle in Ssangyong Motors UK’s range, which also includes the Rexton, Korando and Tivoli passenger cars. Ssangyong Motors UK expects to sell 1,500 Mussos in the UK in 2023 and claims this number would be higher were it not restricted by government emissions regulations on imported ICE vehicles.

The anticipated introduction of an electric pick-up truck in 2025 should help to get around this obstacle, although the electric truck under development is currently two-wheel drive only.

Ssangyong Motors UK has added Trenton Grimsby to its dealer network and currently operates 70 outlets nationwide.

Finally, Volkswagen has confirmed UK specs and prices for the new-generation version of its Amarok pick-up truck, which went on sale in June, with first deliveries expected in late summer. The Amarok Life is priced at £33,000 with a 170hp diesel engine, and £34,300 with a 205hp diesel (all prices exclude VAT). The Amarok Style is priced at £41,450 with the 205hp diesel, and £43,950 with a 240hp diesel. The PanAmericana, which VW predicts will be the best seller, comes in at £46,200 and the Aventura at
£47,000 – the latter two models are only available with the 240hp engine.

Calendar

Isuzu D-Max gets ARB accessories June 2023

Volkswagen Amarok June 2023

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