“The confidence in economic upturn for businesses buying commercial vehicles in September brings welcoming news to the truck and van sector”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT's van and truck registration figures.
New light commercial vehicle figures released today show overall sales were up 12.4% in September and up 8.1 year-to-date. Van sales increased by 10.3% last month, whilst truck demand rose by 29.7%.
Robinson continued, “The September plate change usually has no effect on the commercial vehicle market as van and truck sales are predominantly used for business needs. However, the 10.3% increase in vans sales up to 3.5t, could have been influenced by the additional 4006 new 63-plate registrations consumers purchased in September.
“The truck market performed well with registrations up 29.7%. The market is showing greater business confidence in the second half of this year as oppose to what seemed to be a declining market in the earlier part on 2013.
“Encouragingly, after a very slow start at the beginning of the year, van sales seem to have become more stabilised and were up 10.3 in September.
“Sales of the Euro 5 vehicles have increased this month in the run up to the expensive range of Euro 6 trucks coming later this year, resulting in a strong recovery in tractor volumes and ultimately increasing the September market by 41%. It is expected that the truck market will remain buoyant for the remainder of 2013.”
