LCV registrations down

The light commercial vehicle market declined last month, according to new SMMT research. 24,968 new LCVs joined British roads in October, a -7.4 per cent fall compared with the same month last year.

Demand for smaller vans, vehicles weighing 2.0-2.5T, and large vans falling -20.2 per cent, -14.6 per cent and -5.2 per cent respectively.

Overall year-to-date figures saw a decline of -3.5 per cent on 2016, with 307,647 registrations.

“Following the recent revision to the new van forecast, this month’s decline is not unexpected,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “While the market remains at a very high level, the recent decline in business confidence, caused by economic and political uncertainty, is now having an impact on van registrations.

“Government must therefore address these concerns and create the conditions necessary for the market to prosper.”