The new van market got off to a positive start in 2017 but registrations for 4x4s and rigids declined, latest figures show.
Overall van registrations rose 1.2% last month, with 21,363 new light commercial vehicles joining UK roads, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The heavy van segment (2.5t-2.5t) saw the best gains, growing 5.6% compared with January 2016, while registrations for midsize vans (2.0t-2.5t) grew 3.1% and fell 16.2% for vans under 2.0t.
Demand for pick-ups also continued to rise, up 28.9% at 3,439 units.
In contrast, the 4×4 sector fell 94.2% and registrations of rigids were down 16.8%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Vans are the backbone of British business so it is positive to see the strength of the market continue into 2017. With the success of the sector so closely linked to business confidence, government must ensure the conditions that have delivered this growth are maintained.”
