Light commercial vehicle sales have fallen every month this year after a 13% fall in volumes during August.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that 14,365 new vans, pickups and 4x4s were sold in the UK last month, which is 2,210 fewer units than the same month last year.
Registrations of the largest vans declined 11.5% to 10,398 units, while deliveries of medium-sized vans fell by 14% to 2,383 units. New pickup registrations collapsed by 26% to 1,040 units, while the lower-volume small van and 4×4 segments were down by 17.6% and 14% respectively.
On a positive note, electric van sales were up by 109% on the same month last year. EV light commercial vehicle sales for the first eight months of the year are now 60% up on the same period last year to account for 11% of all sales.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “August is conventionally a low volume month for the new LCV market so while the continued decline is disappointing, the focus is on September to deliver the fleet investment and growth that would reflect a healthy business environment.
“A thriving market is also essential for decarbonisation, given the vast choice of electric van models already available to suit almost every need. Manufacturers need greater volumes to ensure investment in innovation continues unabated.”
