“The commercial vehicle market has continued to grow in October, pointing towards improved confidence in UK businesses unlike the consumer market” said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI 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.
Robinson continued “While growth in the CV sector has been constant throughout 2011, there has been a shift in performance throughout the different sectors in October. While large vans (2.5-3.5 tonne) were down 3%, mid-size vans (2-3.5 tonne) were up 38% on October 2010. The growth in mid-size van sales indicates a rise in confidence in smaller businesses. It also indicates that business owners are investing in new vans prior to the introduction of the London Emission Zone (LEZ) scheme which starts at the beginning of next year.
“Overall truck registrations in October were up a massive 33% with the rigid truck sector performing particularly well. The sector has slowly improved through the year but saw a huge jump last month with sales up 34% on October last year. October’s truck results are very encouraging. It is likely that like the van sector, sales are being encouraged by the impending LEZ scheme.”
The latest new van and truck sales figures show month on month sales were up 10.7% compared to October 2010 and up 19.5% on the rolling year. Overall truck registrations were up 33.3% in comparison to October last year, while overall van registrations were up 6.7% on October last year.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS: Keely Scanlan, Press Officer Tel: 020 7307 3410 Mob: 07825097697 Press Office direct line: 020 7307 3422 Press Office fax: 020 7307 3406 Web: www.rmif.co.uk Email: keely.scanlan@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.