Supply issues blamed as new LCV registrations fall

Date: Thursday, August 5, 2021 | Author: Sean Keywood

The UK new LCV market fell by 14.8% year-on-year in July, its first drop since December last year, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The month saw 23,606 LCVs registered – although the SMMT has pointed out this is only a 4% drop compared with the average from 2015-2019.

The organisation has attributed the fall to vehicle supply problems, chiefly caused by the global semiconductor crisis.

The market-leading 2.5-3.5t van segment was one of the better performers in July, with registrations down by only 5.2% year-on-year to 16,653.

The 2.0-2.5t van segment was the worst performer, with registrations down 41.4% to 2,680, while vans weighing less than 2.0t were down by 38.2% to 907 registrations.

Pick-up trucks were down by 26.3%, with 2,868 registrations in July, and the niche 4x4 segment saw 145.3% growth, with 498 vehicles registered.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “While July’s decline in the new van market is disappointing, it must be viewed in context against the semiconductor shortages currently challenging the global industry.

“Given the shift to home-deliveries, strength of construction sector and as the economy opens up further, we expect the market to end the year almost back to 2019 levels.

“Fleet renewal is critical, not only to ensure the newest, cleanest and greenest vans enter UK roads, but to enable the UK to meet its ambitious green targets.”

The Ford Transit Custom topped the UK sales chart in July with 3,567 registrations, ahead of the Volkswagen Transporter (1,944), the Ford Transit (1,758), the Ford Ranger (1,485), and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (1,410).

Completing the top ten were the Vauxhall Vivaro (1,210), the Peugeot Boxer (880), the Peugeot Partner (789), the Citroen Dispatch (672), and the Citroen Relay (572).

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