Positive start for van registrations in 2017

Date: Monday, February 6, 2017   |  

UK van registrations grew by 1.2% in January to 21,363 units, the latest Society of Manufacturers and Traders data has revealed.

Much of this growth came from the 2.5-3.5t category - which includes most medium and large vans, and makes up the bulk of the new van market – which improved by 5.6% to 12,617 units compared with January 2016’s figures.

The booming pick-up market continued to increase, too, growing by 28.9% to 3,439 units in comparison to last year.

Vans weighing between 2.0-2.5t also experienced modest growth, improving by 3.1% over the same period 12 months ago, while registrations of small vans – those weighing less than 2.0t – fell by 16.2%.

The niche 4x4 market, however, nosedived, with registrations falling by 94.2% to just 54 units in January.

“Vans are the backbone of British business so it is positive to see the strength of the market continue into 2017. With the success of the sector so closely linked to business confidence, the Government must ensure the conditions that have delivered this growth are maintained,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.

Ford took honours in the best-selling chart, scooping the top three positions with its Transit Custom, Transit and Transit Connect models taking a clean sweep of the podium.



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