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“In July, for the first time since pre-pandemic 2019, registrations were up 4.4%. This can be attributed to improvements in light commercial and component supply and strong customer demand,” said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK commenting on the latest SMMT’s new passenger van registration figures. In July, Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) dealers registered a total of 26,990 new vans and light commercials, an increase of 44.2%. This is the seventh consecutive month of registration growth. Year-to-date figures reveal 198,916 new LCVs are on the road this year, an increase of 20.7%. The heavier sectors of LCVs have improved dramatically, with 2.0-2.5t sized vans rising from 1,346 units to 4,407 units, a 227.4% increase. The heavier, and most popular sized vans (2.5-3.5t) also increased from 14,782 units to 19,111 units, a 29.3% rise. Although a smaller market, pick-ups outperformed last year with 2,415 new units registered, up from last year’s 1,628 registrations, an improvement of 48.3%. July saw an increase in the number of battery electric commercials registered, up 94.6% to 1,489 units. Whilst the volume for EV vans has increased to 10,292 units this year, it still only represents 5.4% of the market, a 0.2% fall from this time last year. Sue Robinson added: “Despite the promising uplift in LCV EV demand for July, it remains disappointing that EV light commercials is trailing behind year-to-date figures from last year. Government needs to seriously look at what is holding back EV-LCV adoption and incentivize more on both vehicle acquisition and infrastructure fronts.” ENDS - NOTES TO EDITORS - Adam Weeks, NFDA Communications Officer Direct: 020 7307 3413 Mobile: 0788 003 9897 Email: adam.weeks@rmif.co.uk |
