Van registrations in August continued to perform strongly while the truck, bus and coach markets saw their registrations fall.
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed positive signs for the overall van sector, as it recorded a 22.3% increase on the same month last year pushing the year-to-date figures to 19.1% ahead of 2013.
Vans between 2.0 and 2.5 tonnes and 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes, pickups and 4×4 vehicles all enjoyed a strong August, putting their registrations 32.8%, 21.8%, 31% and 69.8% respectively ahead of the same month in 2013.
In the year-to-date, the 2.0 to 2.5 tonne and 4×4 sectors grew 41.7% and 25.8% respectively.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Strong van registrations have led to another month of continued growth for the commercial vehicle market, with the demand for light commercial vehicles continuing to build.”
The commercial vehicle sector as a whole grew 11.9% compared to the same month in 2013, with year-to-date showing a 13% increase on the first eight months of last year.
The truck market remains subdued with just the over-16 tonne sector showing growth on August 2013 (6.2%). Two- and three-axle artic registrations fell by 51.9% and 37.1%, respectively, leaving the artic sector 38.1% and rigids 25.1% behind the year-to-date.
Hawes added, “The truck market is still seeing the effects of a particularly strong end to 2013 ahead of the introduction of Euro-6. Stability will return to the market, although expectations for the year remain subdued.”
Purpose-built bus registrations saw a 67.9% decrease in the month, following a particularly strong August 2013. while coach registrations fell 17%.
Despite bus and coach registrations enduring a subdued August, the year-to-date figures for both sectors remained stable with a small decrease of 0.3%. The purpose-built coach and converted bus sectors increased 5.6% and 5.8% respectively over the first eight months of 2013. while the purpose-built bus market is behind by 10.6% in the year-to-date.
Hawes said, “Following a particularly strong August last year, this month saw a drop in bus and coach registrations, down 271 units, however year-to-date figures remain stable with a small decrease of 0.3%. Rolling year figures for the market are positive, up 8.1%, as converted buses lead the way with good performance.”
