LCV sales slump by more than 10%
LCV sales fell by 10.3% to 315,422 units last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Fleet renewal shrank in every month last year other than December, which posted a slight 1.7% rise.
Across the year, registrations of new medium-sized vans declined 20.7% to 51,639 units, while large vans dropped 9.8% to 210,262.
Pickups were down by 0.7% with 37,308 registrations, but there was growth in the lower-volume segments, with registrations of small vans and 4x4s up 1.9% and 2.3% respectively, to 8,766 and 7,447 units.
More positively, deliveries of new battery electric vans rose by an impressive 36.2% with 30,169 registrations, a new annual record. The growth is a significant achievement in a contracting overall market, driven by massive industry investment to provide more than 40 different zero emission van models.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “2025’s new van market reflects a tough economic environment which constrained fleet investment. While rising EV uptake is encouraging, it has come at a huge cost to industry and remains significantly adrift of ambition.
“Government’s upcoming review must acknowledge the unique challenges facing the light commercial vehicle sector and the additional action required, else the gap between market regulation and reality will continue to widen.”
