UK van registrations soar in August

New van registrations in the UK rose 41 per cent in August, with 23,120 units registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT). It was the strongest month of growth for light commercials between 3.5t and 6t GVW since April 2013.

Registrations for the first eight months of 2019 are up 11.3 per cent year-on-year: 245,400 units have been registered, compared to 220,399 in the same period in 2018.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said, “Another month of growth for the new van market is welcome news for the automotive sector as it faces multiple challenges simultaneously. It is important to remember, however, that any percentage increase will be on a much smaller volume market in August given it is arguably the quietest month of the year.

“Buyers continue to take advantage of deals on the latest and cleanest commercial vehicles on the market and it is important the business environment remains strong,” Hawes said.