UK CV market growth continues in May
- Total market up 4.2 per cent.
- Light vans up 0.8 per cent.
- Medium vans up 5.7 per cent.
- · Heavy vans and light trucks up 23 per cent.
- 7.5 tonne trucks up 4.4 per cent.
- 15 tonne, two axle rigids up 4.1 per cent.
- Artics down 10.6 per cent for the year, but up 7.4 per cent for May.
- Buses and coaches down 21.9 per cent for the year, but better in May.
More good news – total CV market up 4.1 per cent
With growth of over four per cent in May and over two per cent for the year
to date the UK commercial vehicle market shows registrations staying above the
recent medium term average. ‘The CV market is a good indicator of the nation’s
economic health and the present sound economy is creating good business,’ said
Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the SMMT. ‘Almost all the goods we
are buying will be carried by vans and trucks so overall the prospects look
good for this vital business sector.’
Vans, light and medium truck registrations were up in May and for the year
to date. Most of these vehicles are used for delivery and distribution. The
growing trend toward home delivery is helping sales in these sectors. With a
strong economy and good underlying demand these sales should stay stable.
‘At the heavier end of the market, artic sales have been slow, with decision-makers
clearly nervous about the economy, the effects of the foot and mouth epidemic
and the election. With the election all but out of the way, foot and mouth receding
and some early and encouraging signs from the US economy, the previously predicted
difficulties for the heavy truck market may be less severe than had been expected.
Certainly the market is still comfortably above its medium term average,’ added
Christopher Macgowan.
Light vans, up to 1800kg, up 3.3 per cent.
Light van registrations grew 53 units or 0.8 per cent in May and 1,103 or
3.3 per cent to 34,370 for the year.
Medium vans, 1801 to 3500 kg, up 5.2 per cent.
Registrations in this sector are up 718 or 5.7 per cent in May and 3,324 or
5.2 per cent to 66,677 for the year.
Heavy vans and light trucks, 3501 to 7400kg up 58.6 per cent.
This small but growing sector shows the strongest growth in the CV market,
up 146 or 58.6 per cent in May and 349 or 23. 6 per cent to 1,826 for the year.
Medium trucks, 7400 to 7500kg up 4.4 per cent.
The biggest sector in the truck market, 7.5 tonners took over 27 per cent
of truck sales and registrations. With registrations up 51 or 4.4 per cent to
1,203 in May and up 239 or 4.2 per cent to 5,887 for the year the sector continues
strong.
Heavy trucks, 15 tonne, two axle rigids up 4.1 per cent.
This sector is up 26 or 4.1 per cent to 664 in May and up 205 or 7.0 per cent
to 3,134 for the year.
Heavy trucks, artics, down 10.6 per cent for the year, but up for May.
Artic registrations in May, at 97, were up 7.4 per cent to 1,416. For the year
the registrations were down 793 or 10.5% to 6,730. The growth in May is welcome
and could be the start of a reversal of the recent downward trend in this sector.
Buses and coaches down 21.9 per cent.
Bus and coach registrations were down 48 or 12.1 per cent in May and down 471
or 21.5 per cent for the year.
