UK commercial vehicle registrations rose to an all-time six-month record of 186,404 during the first half of 2015, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Rising demand for new vans was the main reason for the surge in demand. Registrations of new vans rose by 16.4% to 35,742 in June. Over the last twelve months, registrations have reached 352,558, 20.2% higher than during the previous twelve-month period.
UK van and truck registrations: 2015 and % change on 2014
| June | % change | Year-to-date | % change | Rolling year | % change | |
| Vans | 35,742 | 16.4% | 186,404 | 19.8% | 352,558 | 20.2% |
| Trucks | 4,568 | 41.5% | 23,111 | 40.6% | 48,144 | -6.2% |
| Total | 40,310 | 18.8% | 209,515 | 21.8% | 400,702 | 16.2% |
Source: SMMT (www.smmt.co.uk)
Commenting on the figures, Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said that the strong demand was not a surprise:
“The record half-year total for commercial vehicle registrations is not unexpected given the significant gains being made in the van market. Registrations of vans have been increasing strongly for some time, underpinned by economic confidence among large and small businesses, as well as the growing trend for home deliveries.”
The long-running recovery in the van market can most easily be shown in graphical form:
UK van and truck registrations Jan 2010 – June 2015 (courtesy of SMMT)
The growth in new registrations was strongest in the 2.5-3.5t sector, which includes popular models such as the Ford Transit Custom and Transit, the Volkswagen Transporter, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Vauxhall Vivaro. Sales rose by 24% to 21,693 in June, an increase of 4,205 vans compared to June 2014.
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