The new light commercial vehicle market bounced back in January following a downturn in December.
Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show registrations rose 8.6% in January to 22,236 units – up 8.6% or 1,761 units on January 2019 – helped by new models and deals.
All segments saw growth in the month, except medium vans weighing 2.0-2.5 tonnes, where demand fell 3.9%. Car-derived vans weighing less than 2.0 tonnes and pickups both saw double-digit increases, by 31.7% and 13.4%, boosted by new model introductions and sales campaigns. Demand also grew for large vans weighing 2.5-3.5 tonnes, increasing by 7.1%, to 13,268 vehicles.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “January’s positive performance follows a mixed 2018, which finished on a particularly poor December, so some bounce-back was to be expected. Further fluctuations in demand are predicted over the coming months as the UK’s post-Brexit future remains uncertain. Operators need stability to invest and renew their fleets, which now depends on government providing the right conditions starting with removing the threat of ‘no-deal’.”
