Light commercial vehicle registrations fell -4.3% in February, with strong falls in 4x4s and small vans.
Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show small vans under 2.0t fell -28.5% while 4x4s were down 93.9%. Demand for heavier vans fell, with registrations of vehicles weighing 2.5-3.5t down -1.3%. However, the segment continues to be the most popular, accounting for 65.8% of market share.
Pick-up registrations remained the same at 1,350 units while demand for mid-sized vans grew, with registrations of 2-2.5t vehicles increasing 9.0%. Rigids were down 2.3%.
Year to date, the van sector is down 1.0%, with 4x4s down -94.1% and vans under 2.0t declining -20.6%. In contrast, vehicles weighing 2.0t-2.5t were up 5.4% with 2.7% growth for vans 2.5-3.5t and a 19.2% rise for pickups. Rigids were down 8.7%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “February is typically a quiet month as buyers look ahead to the March plate change and, following the rapidly growing levels of demand we’ve seen over the past two years, a decline is not unexpected. The sector remains in good health and, barring any shocks to business confidence, we expect demand to remain strong over the coming months.”
