The SMMT has raised its forecast for full-year sales of new LCVs following a strong month in October.
Volumes jumped 26.3% to 22,473 year-on-year and were up 11% in the first 10 months of the year to 227,477,
Consequently, the SMMT has increased its forecast for the total 2013 market by 10.2% to 264,100 units.
The biggest growth in October was achieved by light vans weighing from 2.0 to 2.5-tonnes, which were up 45% to 3513 units. Medium and heavy vans of 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes rose 32% to 13,447 and 2350 pick-ups left showrooms – a 17% hike on the same month in 2012. The only sector to fall in volume was small vans of under 2.0-tonnes – down 3.3% to 2629 sales.