UK new LCV registrations fell in June, marking the seventh consecutive month of market decline.
The 14.8% year-on-year fall means that the first half of 2025 has been completed with no months of growth, with the market down by 12.1% overall across the first six months of the year.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the 2.5-3.5t van sector saw a 10% year-on-year decline in June, with 19,501 registrations, while the 2.0-2.5t van market was down by 41.5%, with 4,193 registrations.
There was however a stronger performance from vans weighing less than 2.0t, with registrations up by 22% to 983.
Pick-up truck registrations were down by 0.8%, to 2,754, while 4x4s were up by 16.3%, to 742.
For the year to date, 2.5-3.5t van registrations are down by 14.8%, and 2.0-2.5t vans down by 20.9%.
Vans weighing less than 2.0t are up by 30.7%, and pick-up trucks up by 10%, while 4x4s are down by 6%.
In terms of fuel mix, EVs were up by 97% in June, with 3,003 registered, accounting for 10.6% of the market. For the year to date, EVs have an 8.6% market share, which the SMMT points out is still well below the level set out by the UK Government’s ZEV mandate.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Half a year of declining demand for new vans reflects a difficult economic climate and weak business confidence and the fact that this downturn comes just as industry invests heavily to expand its zero emission LCV offering is particularly concerning.
“Decarbonisation remains a shared ambition but with the EV market more than a third below this year’s target, bold measures are needed to drive demand.
“Accelerated CV infrastructure rollout, quicker grid connections and streamlined planning are now critical.”
Across the first half of 2025, the Ford Transit Custom was the UK’s most in-demand LCV, with 24,826 registrations, ahead of the Ford Transit with 13,886, and the Ford Ranger with 10,327.
Completing the top ten were the Vauxhall Vivaro (6,266 registrations), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (6,250), Renault Trafic (5,793), Toyota Hilux (5,302), Peugeot Partner (5,205), Citroen Berlingo (5,128), and Volkswagen Crafter (4,792).
