New LCV sales are predicted to reach just 360,000 this year, which for the first time since 2012 are not predicted to top those of the previous year’s registrations – possibly thanks to economic uncertainty, according to cap hpi.
From 2010 to 2016, LCV registrations grew a total of 69%, according to data supplied by cap hpi. The data indicates an 18% increase is possible in vehicles on a three year cycle, when compared to 2016.
Just four of the LCV sector manufacturers saw year on year growth, with the top four sellers including the Ford Transit Custom 290 L1 2.2 100ps Low Roof, Volkswagen Caddy C20 1.6 TD 102ps Startline, Mercedes Sprinter 313CDi LWB High Roof and Nissan NV200 1.5dCi Acenta, cap hpi data showed.
Steve Botfield, Senior Editor Commercial Vehicles & Motorcycles commented: “This situation is anticipated to continue until there is greater economic stability and the level of new vehicle supply matches demand. We saw LCV registrations hit their peak in 2016 and with volumes anticipated to be around 5% less in 2017, consolidation will be the word in the LCV sector for 2018.
“There has been a steady increase in LCV registrations since 2010, with over 375,000 registrations recorded for 2016. Up until the end of June the volume of LCV registrations stood at almost 185,000 so our forecasting predicts 15,000 less registrations for the whole of 2017 compared with last year.”
Predictably, diesel remains the dominant fuel of choice for commercial vehicles, with electric power only making in-roads in small van sector registrations. On the whole, cap hpi say electric vans aren’t currently able to provide adequate range and payload.
Steve Botfield added: “EV shows a YOY growth from 2016 but petrol registrations in this sector have already overtaken the whole of last year’s numbers. Interest in alternative fuelled vehicles within the LCV sector is mainly limited to the small van sector, with both electric and petrol increasing their market share.”
Cap hpi say that LCV used values also reflect the economic uncertainty within business, and that this has been evidenced by research data and subsequent analyses made monthly by the data company.
