New LCV market sees January growth

Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2019 | Author: Sean Keywood

The Mitsubishi L200 was the fourth best-selling LCV in January

New LCV registrations in the UK were up by 8.6% year-on-year during January, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The biggest increase was for small vans lighter than 2.0t, which saw registrations rocket by 31.7% to 1,952.

There was also a big increase in demand for pick-ups, which recorded a 13.4% sales increase to 3,808.

Registrations for medium and large vans weighing 2.5t to 3.5t – by far the largest sector of the market with well over half of total sales – were up by 7.1% to 13,268 units.

The only decline was seen in registrations of mainly light vans weighing 2.0t to 2.5t, which fell by 3.9% to 3,082.

Sales of 4x4 LCVs were up by 250%, but this represented a rise from only 36 registrations a year ago to 126, so a tiny fraction of the market, which recorded 22,236 sales overall.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “January’s positive performance follows a mixed 2018, which finished on a particularly poor December, so some bounce-back was to be expected.

“Further fluctuations in demand are predicted over the coming months as the UK’s post-Brexit future remains uncertain.

“Operators need stability to invest and renew their fleets, which now depends on government providing the right conditions, starting with removing the threat of ‘no-deal’.”

The Ford Transit Custom extended its lead at the top of the market, with its 3,015 registrations more than twice that of the second placed Ford Transit on 1,400.

Rounding out the top five were the Volkswagen Transporter (1,272), the Mitsubishi L200 (1,237), and the Ford Transit Connect (1,184).

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