According to the SMMT, total commercial vehicle registrations dipped 4.2% in April to 23,338; with the rolling year up 13.0% to 334,808.
Van demand in April 2014 remained stable with 20,620 registrations, consistent with April 2013, maintaining the year-to-date margin of +12.2%.
SMMT revised its van forecast to 301,320, a rise of 11.2% on 2013.
Truck registrations continue to feel the effects of the emissions standard changes, with volumes down 24.9% in the month. The rolling year to April, however, remained up 22.3%.
UK van and truck registrations: 2014 and % change on 2013
|
|
April |
% change |
Year-to-date |
% change |
Rolling year |
% change |
|
Vans |
20,620 |
-0.6% |
100,537 |
12.2% |
281,977 |
11.4% |
|
Trucks |
2,718 |
-24.9% |
10,292 |
-24.8% |
52,831 |
22.3% |
|
Total |
23,338 |
-4.2% |
110,829 |
7.3% |
334,808 |
13.0% |
'Ongoing robust demand for vans continued the year-to-date trend in line with SMMT's revised van forecast for 2014, a forecast that should see the market grow more than 11% on 2013,' said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
'The overall market remained subdued, however, as the Euro 6 lag continued for trucks. Demand for HCVs is likely to remain behind 2013 all year, but volumes should recover as we approach mid-year,' he added.