- Van and truck registrations up 8.8% to 43,442 units in September, rolling year up 20.9% to 293,703.
- Truck registrations up 3.6% to 4,798 in the month, rolling year up 30.7% to 39,658.
- Van registrations up 9.4% to 38,644 units in September, rolling year up 19.5% to 254,045.
UK van and truck registrations: 2011 and % change on 2010
| September | % change | Year-to-date | % change | Rolling year | % change | |
| Vans | 38,644 | 9.4% | 199,684 | 18.5% | 254,045 | 19.5% |
| Trucks | 4,798 | 3.6% | 29,620 | 21.3% | 39,658 | 30.7% |
| Total | 43,442 | 8.8% | 229,304 | 18.8% | 293,703 | 20.9% |
“Confidence returned to the commercial vehicle market in 2011 and the September market continues the upward trend, growing 8.8% on last year,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “The future state of the economy is certainly a concern, but it’s clear that owners and operators are currently investing in new, fuel-efficient vehicles to help weather the storm of high fuel prices.”
Commercial vehicle market overview
- The van market recorded 9.4% growth in September, building on the strong performance seen throughout the year. The > 2.0t portion of the market performed particularly well, as the changing requirements of the market continued to play out and LEZ considerations push operators of older vehicles to upgrade.
- The ‘squeezed middle’ 3.5 – 6.0t Rigid market continued to decline in September as operators combine heavy trucks and large vans to handle operations traditionally carried out by this market sector.
- On the back of 101.4% rolling year growth, the September Artic market was up strongly by 29%. The ongoing recovery brings this part of the market within touching distance of pre-recession levels, a sign of greater confidence and industry’s recognition of the cost savings on offer from new, efficient vehicles.
- Looking to the future, the economic outlook is uncertain and further growth relies on government’s ability to sustain an investment-led recovery through targeted incentives and encouragement of private spending on R&D, skills, plant and machinery.
Click through to download the full SMMT new van and truck news release and data tables for September 2011.
