This was the fifth consecutive monthly uplift for the truck market, while vans hit a 150,000 registrations record. The largest gains were in the heavier ends of each market segment as the drive for operator efficiency continued.
UK van and truck registrations: 2015 and % change on 2014
| May | % change | Year-to-date | % change | Rolling year | % change | |
| Vans | 27,960 | 15.1% | 150,662 | 20.7% | 347,528 | 21.6% |
| Trucks | 3,962 | 35.9% | 18,543 | 40.4% | 46,805 | -10.2% |
| Total | 31,922 | 17.4% | 169,205 | 22.6% | 394,333 | 16.7% |
“It is an indication of just how strongly the commercial vehicle sector has performed in recent months that May’s 17.4% rise in registrations is actually the lowest so far in 2015,” commented Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “Van market growth in particular remains robust, with year-to-date registrations up by more than a fifth passing the 150,000 mark in May for the first time on record.
“Truck demand is also up by a staggering 35.9% as fleet operators continue to push for maximum space and efficiency. The biggest gains in the month were again made in the heavier ends of the van and rigid truck markets, with a 35.6% fall in two-axle artics balanced by a 35.6% rise in those with three axles.”
Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association, added: “It is encouraging to see that the commercial vehicle market continued to grow in May with registrations up 17.4%.
“Vans up to 3.5t were up 15.1% in May, however year-to-date the growth has been up 20.7%. The most significant growth came from the 2.5 – 3.5t sector which was up 21% in the month – these are acquired mainly by industry for goods and home deliveries rather than use as a tradesman’s vehicle in the service sector. In the first 5 months of 2015, over 150,000 total vans have been registered, this is dominated by the larger 2.5 – 3.5t vehicles that make up over half of all vans sold with 85,000 registrations year to date – demonstrating the importance of this market sector."
She added: “The NFDA and our members are confident that the commercial vehicle market will continue to grow for the remainder of 2015.”