Van market up 11.8% in April

New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that registrations for all vans up to 3.5t rose 11.8% to 27,880 units. Within this, the pick-ups sector rose 35.4% to 3,686 units while vans between 2.5t and 3.5t were up 22.8% to 17,660 units. The sector for vans up to 2.0t also saw growth of 4.3% to 2,794 units.

In contrast, vans between 2.0t and 2.5t were down 22.7% to 3,429 units and 4x4s fell 56.1% to 311 units.

The rigids sector for 3.5t to 6.0t vehicles was up 12.4% last month to 654 units.

Year-to-date figures were also positive, with registrations for all vans up to 3.5t up 3.3% to 126,786 units. Growth was again driven by the pick-ups and large vans (2.5t to 3.5t) sectors, which were up respectively by 10.4% to 15,560 units and 13.0% to 77,318 units.

4x4s fell 28.1% to 2,855 units for the first four months of the year while vans up to 2.0t were down 11.1% to 13,727 units. Vans in the 2.0t to 2.5t sector were down 16.6% to 17,326 units.

Rigids registrations for the year to date fell slightly by 0.2% to 2,543 units.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Following a quieter start to 2016, it is positive to see the van market picking up with a third consecutive month of growth in April, once again fuelled by increased demand for larger LCVs. The 3.3% rise in registrations during the first four months of the year places the sector in a strong position and on track to maintain stable growth throughout 2016.”