Light commercial vehicle sales slowing down – SVA
Shoreham Vehicle Auctions has warned that an uncertain economy and vehicle manufacturers driving EV adoption are impacting new light commercial vehicle sales.
Light commercial sales fell 12.1% in the first six months of 2025, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Shoreham Vehicle Auctions managing director Alex Wright believes this is due to a general lack in confidence in the UK economy coupled with the push towards net zero. To meet mandates, some brands are insisting fleets buy new electric vans, but the majority of operators still don’t believe electric light commercial vehicles are fit for purpose.
Wright said: “New LCV sales are a barometer of how companies are feeling about the economy. The fact sales are falling tells us how they are feeling and until they are more optimistic buying new LCVs will not appear on their radar anytime soon.
“That spells good news for the used market as more companies will look to buy a used instead of a new van. That should keep demand and prices strong for used vehicles for the rest of 2025, and we are already seeing some LCVs make £1,000-£2,000 above book when they go under the hammer.”
ZEV Mandate
Manufacturers mandating electric sales is also impacting new van sales and driving fleets Shoreham’s weekly LCV sale.
Wright added: “This mandated approach by OEMs is putting off operators from buying new vans across the board as the majority cannot currently justify adding electric vehicles to their fleet as they will compromise rather than add value to their operations.
“Until OEMs change this strategy then smaller fleets will continue to buy 12-18-month-old diesel vans at auction that are predominantly being entered by the big rental fleets.
“SMEs are also buying used two to three-year old vans currently rather than signing up to expensive new vans on finance as they are uncertain how the economy will affect their businesses in the coming months.”
