LCV market falls for eighth straight month
The new LCV market fell by 5.1% in July to 24,433 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Sales have now fallen eight months in a row as sluggish business confidence deters fleet investment, and economic conditions remain tough.
Uptake of the smallest vans were down 20.6% to 738 units, while deliveries of the largest models fell 4.6% to 16,040 units. Meanwhile, the pickup segment declined for a third consecutive month, down 17.3% to 1,897 units, although mid-sized vans saw sales up 2.5% to 4,138 units and 4x4s rose 0.5% to 620 units.
In terms of fuel types, deliveries of EVs increased by 72.6% to 2,442 in July, but year to date EVs represent just 8.8% of the overall market, well short of the 16% mandated.
LCV market
The SMMT now expects the LCV market to contract by more than 30,000 units this year, or 8.7%, to 321,000 units, with EVs accounting for just 8.6% of total sales.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Half a year of declining demand for new vans reflects a difficult economic climate and weak business confidence and the fact that this downturn comes just as industry invests heavily to expand its zero emission LCV offering is particularly concerning.
“Decarbonisation remains a shared ambition but with the EV market more than a third below this year’s target, bold measures are needed to drive demand. Accelerated CV infrastructure rollout, quicker grid connections and streamlined planning are now critical.”
