SMMT: Van market ends summer time with a return to progress

The UK’s new mild industrial automobile (LCV) market returned to progress in August, rising 1.7% to document the very best efficiency for the month since 2021 after two months of decline.¹ In response to the most recent figures printed as we speak by the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT), 16,575 vans, 4x4s, pickups and taxis joined the highway in what’s historically a low quantity month forward of September’s plate change.

The marketplace for smaller-sized vans, weighing as much as and together with 2.0 tonnes, continued to extend, up 24.5% to 427 models as new fashions drove demand. Registrations of medium-sized vans, weighing larger than 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes, grew by 1.9% to 2,771 models, whereas these of the biggest vans, weighing larger than 2.5 to three.5 tonnes, elevated by 1.8% to 11,753 models, remaining the preferred phase with a 70.9% market share. Deliveries of 4x4s and pickups, in the meantime, declined by -12.9% and -2.5% respectively to make up a mixed 1,624 models.

Regardless of the general market progress, battery electrical van (BEV) registrations fell for a 3rd successive month this 12 months and fifth time total,² with 908 registered, down -30.3% 12 months on 12 months.³ BEVs accounted for simply 5.5% of all new vans in August, a fall from 7.9% in August 2023. Over the year-to-date, volumes have fallen by -9.5% and market share has declined to five.1% – primarily half the ten% zero emission automobile mandate goal, regardless of rising numbers of producers introducing all-new zero emission autos to broaden operator alternative.⁴

12 months-to-date, the van market is up 2.7% to 218,884 models, with all segments recording progress.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Govt, mentioned,

A return to progress for Britain’s new van sector is encouraging because the market continues its post-Covid restoration. Producers proceed to supply a variety of recent fashions, with many of those zero emission. Nevertheless, such a major and sustained drop in demand for electrical vans is of deep concern given the bold and mandated gross sales targets required this 12 months and past. There’s a urgent have to stimulate operator confidence which suggests offering long run certainty over the Plug-in Van Grant, sustaining fiscal incentives, and accelerating the rollout of van-suitable charging infrastructure. With out these measures, the power of the UK to satisfy its internet zero targets whereas driving financial progress might be put below stress.

1 CV registrations, August 2021: 20,582 models
2 CV registration declines: June 2024: 1,476 models (-16.8%) and July 2024: 1,368 models (-8.1%)
3 Battery electrical van registrations, August 2023: 1,303 models
4 Information displays the Car Emissions Buying and selling Scheme with BEV vans weighing >3.5-4.25t contributing in the direction of every producer’s goal, along with LCVs ≤3.5t.

SOURCE: SMMT