UK new van sales down for third consecutive month

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2019 | Author: James Dallas

The Ford Ranger was the UK's fourth biggest-selling LCV in November as pick-up sales bucked the downward trend

The UK’s new LCV market fell by 9.6% year-on-year in November to 26,238 units, the third consecutive month of decline, according to the Society of motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Registrations in the largest market sector, for medium and large vans weighing from 2.5 to 3.5-tonnes, were down by 11.4% to 16,588, the 2.0 to 2.5-tonne sector dropped 19.4% to 3,472, the sub-2.0-tonne van segment plummeted 24% to 1,488 units and the niche 4x4 segment dipped 12.4% to just 149 sales.

As is often the case, the pick-up sector bucked the overriding market trend, rising 17.2% year-on-year to 4,541.

SMMT boss Mike Hawes said: “A third consecutive month of decline for new van registrations is concerning, particularly after growth for much of the year. Ongoing political uncertainty doesn’t help inspire business confidence but this is essential if we are to embolden further investment in new vehicles, which will go a long way to improving air quality in our towns and cities.”

In a top five dominated by the blue oval brand, the Ford Transit Custom was the UK’s best-selling LCV in November, followed by the Vauxhall Vivaro, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Ford Ranger and the Ford Transit.

Despite sales falling for the third month in a row, in the year to the end of November the market was up by 1.9% to 338,227 registrations.

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