SMMT found that heavier vans saw a small decline in demand, with registrations for the 2.5-3.5T segment down -2.2% last month. However these larger vehicles accounted for 63% of all the vans registered so far this year.
Figures for smaller LCVs painted a mixed picture, with registrations of new vans below 2.0 tonnes up 1.6%, while vans between 2.0-2.5 tonnes fell -2.8%.
Year-to-date figures show heavy vans continue to dominate the market, with registrations up 10.8% as operators seek to maximise the productivity of their fleet.
Commenting on the findings, Mike Hawes, chief executive, SMMT, said, “After a record performance in the first half of the year, it was inevitable that growth would start to level off over the summer. Maintaining business confidence for LCV operators will be critical to this sector’s future performance.”
Registration of vans and LCVs 3.5-6t
| Month | July '16 | July '15 | % change |
| Pick-ups | 3,172 | 2,545 | 24.6% |
| 4x4s | 125 | 393 | 68.2% |
| Vans <2.0t | 2,527 | 2,488 | 1.6% |
| Vans >2.0-2.5t | 3,421 | 3,521 | 2.8% |
| Vans >2.5-3.5t | 15,261 | 15,599 | 2.2% |
| All vans to 3.5t | 24,506 | 24,546 | 0.2% |
| Rigids 3.5-6.0t | 455 | 803 | 43.3% |