UK new LCV registrations were up by 12.7% year-on-year in November, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The total of 27,433 registrations was also up by 4.6% compared with pre-pandemic 2019, and represented the 11th consecutive month of growth.
The growth came despite a slight decline in sales in the market-leading 2.5-3.5t van segment, down by 1.6% to 18,070 registrations.
In contrast, the 2.0-2.5t van segment saw registrations more than double, up by 161.1% to 4,554.
Registrations of vans weighing less than 2.0t were up by 10.4%, to 437, while pick-up truck registrations rose by 14.9%, to 3,783, and 4x4s were up by 6.5%, to 589.
Electric van registrations, however, were down by 17.4% year-on-year, with 1,631 registered, accounting for 5.9% of the overall market.
Reacting to the figures, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes highlighted concerns that Rules of Origin requirements were set to place tariffs on EVs traded between the UK and EU from 1 January.
He said: “An eleventh month of growth in Britain’s van sector is hugely positive, especially given fleet renewal is key to decarbonisation. It is crucial that operator demand also translates to zero emission van uptake, driving down CO2 emissions to meet Britain’s ambitious environmental targets.
“These are severely threatened by Rules of Origin requirements due in less than four weeks’ time, so it is essential that a pragmatic solution is found, and fast.”
The Ford Transit Custom led the November LCV sales chart with 3,266 registrations, ahead of the Ford Transit with 2,222, and the Vauxhall Vivaro with 1,783.
Completing the top ten were the Ford Ranger (1,624 registrations), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (1,525), Volkswagen Transporter (1,416), Citroen Berlingo (1,311), Toyota Hilux (934), Maxus Deliver 3 (819), and Renault Trafic (816).