UK LCV market sees 6.4% growth in February

Date: Monday, March 5, 2018 | Author: Sean Keywood

Sales of light vans grew 20% in February

The number of LCVs registered in the UK in February increased by 6.4% year-on-year.

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 14,135 LCVs were registered – 844 more than in February 2017.

The figures represent the market’s best February performance in a decade.

Driving the growth, vans weighing 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes and pick-ups saw big increases, with demand rising by 19.9% and 14.2% respectively.

Demand for vans weighing 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes, the biggest market segment by volume, also increased, by 2.5%.

The only sector of the market to show a decline was vans weighing less than 2.0- tonnes, which fell by 2.4%, though this represented a decrease of only 24 sales.

Figures for the year-to-date show the overall market holding steady, as February’s growth offset a fall in January, meaning only 44 fewer LCVs have been registered so far this year compared with the same time last year.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “February is typically a quiet month as buyers await the March plate-change so the rise in demand is welcome news.

“However, with so much uncertainty in the UK at the moment and weak business confidence, we can expect further fluctuations in demand for the rest of the year.”

February saw the Ford Transit Custom retain its status as the UK’s bestselling van, although with 2,064 registrations during the month it was only just ahead of the Ford Transit, with 1,831.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was third, with sales of 970 units.

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