Van market slips in July

The van market slipped back slightly in July, though the first seven months are still 2.6 per cent ahead of last year, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Panel vans (2.5-3.5 tonnes), which make up the largest sector of the market, were down 2.2 per cent at 15,261 units in July. Nevertheless, this sector is up almost 11 per cent for the year to date at 135,656 units.

Ford maintained its market leadership for the first seven months, with 66,667 registrations, giving it a 31 per cent market share. It was followed by Volkswagen (24,903) and Vauxhall (23,750).

Figures for smaller LCVs painted a mixed picture, with registrations of new vans below 2.0 tonnes up 1.6 per cent, while vans between 2.0-2.5 tonnes fell -2.8 per cent.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “After a record performance in the first half of the year, it was inevitable that growth would start to level off over the summer. Maintaining business confidence for LCV operators will be critical to this sector’s future performance.”