Sales of new light commercial vehicles dip again
Deliveries of new light commercial vehicles fell by 2.1% in September and are down 9.8% year-to-date, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It reported there were 47,418 registrations of new vans, pickups and 4x4s during the month.
The overall decline was softened by a 3.2% rise in deliveries of the largest vans to 32,670 units, while demand for new pickups and the smallest sized vans grew by 7.8% and 1.9% to 5,749 and 1,202 units respectively.
Meanwhile, medium-sized van uptake fell by 25.1% to 7,150 units, while 4×4 uptake declined by 13.4% to 647 units.
Electric vans
Figures also showed that new electric van registrations continued their strong upward trajectory, rising 41.1% year-on-year to 4,262 units – the most ever recorded in a single month, to take a market share of 8.9%.
Year-to-date EV volumes are at 22,118 units, up 55.9% on 2024. This represents 9.1% of all new registrations, which is well below the 16% share mandated for 2025.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “September is one of the busiest months for the new van market so a slight dip in volumes compared with previous strong years is disappointing but unsurprising.
“The growth in electric van uptake is hugely encouraging, but the market is under pressure to deliver the investment necessary for decarbonisation. Manufacturers are delivering a huge choice of models to suit all businesses – now we need better dedicated infrastructure and continuing incentives to drive the switch.”
