A summer update on the UK van market
As a supplier of new and used vans for sale, our website is your route to better business. The light commercial vehicle (LCV) has been a flagship of UK commerce for as long as we can remember, driving companies of all sizes and niches forward in their respective marketplaces. The latest statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) may appear to be grim news at first glance however.
In this blog post, we share an overview of the van market as of June 2024, and reveal why it’s not all doom and gloom.
There is a year-on-year decline…
New light commercial vehicle registrations fell in June 2024, with a 4.5% decline year-on-year and just 33,066 new units hitting UK roads. This decrease sees the 17-month-long run of growth come to an end.
While new registrations fell, the volume of used stock remained at an all-time high. An increasing number of buyers are turning to tried and tested makes and models rather than those coming straight off the production line when searching for their next LCV.
… but overall things are looking bright!
Despite the decrease in new LCV registrations, the latest SMMT figures report the best first six months of performance since 2021. There were 4.5% more new vans, pickups and 4x4 vehicles delivered this year when compared with the same statistics last year. The market as a whole remains extremely robust.
Some LCVs were more popular than others
Recent news highlighted the emergence of a new fan favourite when it comes to the most popular LCV types. Registrations of vans weighing 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes rose significantly year-on-year, with an increase of 14.0% to 7,169 units. LCVs weighing less than or equal to 2.0 tonnes also saw boosted numbers, with registrations rising by a whopping 58.7% to 806.
Electric LCVs on the other hand suffered declines, falling for a third month during 2024. Just 1,476 battery electric vans (BEVs) were registered during this period, representing a decrease of 16.8%. BEVs now account for just 4.7% of all new light van registrations compared with 5.2% for the same period last year.
Ford reigns supreme once again
In terms of the most popular makes and models, the Ford Transit Custom came out on top once again during June 2024 and year-to-date, closely followed by the Ford Transit.
Whether it’s a Ford Transit that’s caught your eye or another LCV, you’re in the right place. Visit our showroom to browse our range of vans for sale or contact us to discuss your options.