Vans dipped 2.6% in the month to 18,417 units, but remained 9.3% up for the January – July period with 151,594 registrations; while truck demand rose 10.3% and began to turn around the 7.8% decline over the year-to-date.
UK van and truck registrations: 2013 and % change on 2012
|
|
July |
% change |
Year-to-date |
% change |
Rolling year |
% change |
|
Vans |
18,417 |
-2.6% |
151,594 |
9.3% |
252,536 |
1.6% |
|
Trucks |
3,794 |
10.3% |
25,114 |
-7.8% |
43,580 |
-8.8% |
|
Total |
22,211 |
-0.6% |
176,708 |
6.5% |
296,116 |
0.0% |
‘July's commercial vehicle market performed on par with 2012 levels as rising truck volumes helped to offset a dip in van sales,’ commented Nigel Base, SMMT's CV manager.
‘We've been expecting a rise in truck volumes as the Euro 5/6 issue comes to a head. In July, trucks rose 10.3% continuing the trend begun a month earlier – a momentum that should continue to the end of the year. Van registrations have fluctuated through the year with dips following sizable peaks in demand. We are confident that the van market will end the year strongly, up 9.2% on 2012, topping 261,000 units.'
‘It is positive to see that the commercial vehicle market remained stable during July, with a healthy increase in the truck sector of 10.3%,’ added Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK.
‘Both the car derived van and large van sectors lost market share in July whilst the midsize panel van sector increased their sales volume. The fall in van sales could be attributed to the high volume of pre registrations that took place prior to the introduction of type approval regulations 18 months ago.
‘Despite the fall in sales in July the year-to-date figures shows that the van market remains buoyant. The NFDA believe that the van market will finish the year 10% above 2012.
‘The Euro 5/6 change over continues to effect the truck market. Whilst the rigid truck sector slipped by 5.1% in July the heavy tractor sector recorded an increase in sales of a massive 40%.
‘The recent increase in truck sales could be attributed to the growing confidence within the construction industry coupled with the signs of a stabilising economy,’ she concluded.
Watch the latest SMMT commercial vehicle report