Light commercial vehicle registrations declined 11.1% in November, marking the third consecutive monthly fall.
The figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show a total of 26,486 new vans and pick-ups were registered last month with declines seen across all segments. Demand for smaller vans was down the most with a 21.7% decline, followed by pick-ups (-14.4%), 4x4s (-10.0%), larger vans (-9.4%) and vans weighing 2.0-2.5t (-8.9%). Rigids (3.5-6.5t) fell 26.5%.
Year-to-date registrations fell 4.1% to 334,133 units. 4x4s saw the highest decline of 90.6%, followed by small vans (-20.3%) and vans weighing 2.5-3.5t (-3.9%). In contrast, pickups rose 7.9% for the first 11 months of the year while vans in the 2.0-2.5t category were up 3.0%. Rigids (3.5-6.5t) were up 10.9%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “While the market decline is worrying, it remains at an historically high level. Nevertheless, economic and political uncertainty continues to affect business confidence and with it new van purchasing patterns which is damaging, both for the market and for efforts to improve air quality. Getting more of the latest, Euro 6 LCVs onto our roads is the fastest way to reduce emissions so, to avoid a prolonged downturn, it is vital that government works to restore the conditions that give operators confidence to invest in their fleets.”
