“It was positive to see commercial vehicle registrations up in all sectors of the market – with a 24.8% growth in trucks and 19.6% in van registrations - boosted by the new 65-plate”, 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.
Following changes to regulation and type approval in 2014, sales of heavy trucks remained poor last year, however 2015 has seen the sector regain confidence with upward trends of 35.6% recorded this year.
Robinson continued, “As the UK economy expands, we have seen a significant growth in the following sectors. Demand for chassis/vans between 3.5 – 6.0t has increased considerably by 67.9% in September and up 27.9% year-to-date - due to more door-to-door domestic deliveries.
“There has also been an increased demand from the construction industry, which has contributed to sales of more maximum weight multi axle rigid trucks like tippers and mixers and seen an increase of 21.1% in September and growth of 42.8% year-to-date.
“Finally, demand for 3 axle tractor units to haul in the distribution and logistics business’s has been strong for some time as many of these tractors operate at the EU maximum tonnage of 44t. September demand for these units increased 42.2% and year-to-date are up a massive 54.8%.
“Van sales have also remained strong through 2015 with a year-to-date growth of 17.4%. 58% of all vans sold came from the 2.5-3.5t vehicles sector – which recorded an increase of 24.3% in September. Vans from this particular sector are purchased by corporate buyers, and a large proportion of these vehicles go into the internet delivery arena. These maximum weight vans rarely get registered as demonstrators or pre-registrations for targets.
“It is expected that the CV market will remain buoyant for the remainder of 2015.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Rupal Rawal, Press Officer Tel: 020 7307 3412 Mob: 07528 977 157 Press Office direct line: 020 7307 3422 Press Office fax: 020 7307 3406 Web: www.rmif.co.uk Email: rupal.rawal@rmif.co.uk
The Retail Motor Industry represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.
