Registrations of new vans fell by 0.9% in July, the latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures have revealed.
However, registrations are still up – by 17.5% – when looking at the rolling year data.
Vans weighing between 2.5 and 3.5-tonnes saw the biggest growth, with 16.2% more registrations in July 2015 compared with July 2014, while 4×4 sales saw an 8.7% increase.
Meanwhile, vans weighing between 2.0 tonnes and 2.5 tonnes saw the biggest decrease in registrations, down by 34.4% to 3521 units.
The 4×4 sector also saw a big drop in new vehicles sold. A total of 393 vehicles were registered last month compared with 575 in July 2014, while vans weighing below 2.0 tonnes experienced an 18.6% drop in registrations compared to last July.
“The commercial vehicle market’s record performance in the first half of the year has been followed by a more sedate July, underpinned by a slight fall in van registrations,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
“Demand is still at a very high level, with year-to-date van registrations up 17% as confident businesses continue to invest in their fleets and capitalise on the ongoing trend for home deliveries,” Hawes added