“Having faced an extremely challenging year, the light commercial vehicle market sales fall in November 2022. Dealers are at the forefront of automotive retail and have continued to operate under increasingly difficult conditions. Whilst 2022 has been a troubling year for LCV sales, the market is in a good position and dealers are optimistic that supply issues will start to ease,” 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 car registration figures.
November registrations were down -22.2% at 24,352 units. Overall, the year-to-date LCV market is -20.1% behind last year’s registrations.
Smaller Pickup trucks registered a 26.1% increase in sales, from 2,610 units to 3,292. 4x4’s also experienced positive results with a 167.1% increaser in registrations, from 207 units to 553.
Electric LCVs continued their growth in the market with an upswing of 14.8% for November, 46.5% year to date and an overall market share of 5.8%. The growth in EV sales comes at the expense of diesel where registrations are now 89.8% of the market, compared to 93.3% last year.
Year to date figures reveal Ford’s Transit Custom, Large Transit and Ranger dominate the registration market, followed by the Mercedes-benz Sprinter.
Sue Robinson added: “Demand for new vehicles is still strong, particularly in the battery electric sector. As the automotive industry works tirelessly to reach net-zero targets, it is imperative that government matches this. Investment into improved charging infrastructure for commercials is key and incentives to purchasing an EV will help maintain consumer demand"
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS.
Adam Weeks, NFDA Communications Officer
Direct: 020 7307 3413
Mobile: 0788 003 9897
Email: adam.weeks@rmif.co.uk
