The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market declined -24.8% in June, as lockdown measures eased and businesses began to return to work, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Van Market Declines by 24.8%
After a -74.1% fall in registrations in the previous month, this is an improvement but betrays weak demand given the sector was effectively shuttered for nearly three months. However, 30,041 vans and pickups joined British roads in the month, some 10,000 fewer than the previous year, as uncertainty kept operator confidence subdued.
Demand for smaller vans weighing 2.0 tonnes or under dropped -49.4% while registrations of medium-sized vans weighing more than 2.0-2.5 tonnes and larger vans weighing more than 2.5-3.5 tonnes also fell, down -19.1% and 22.8% respectively. Meanwhile, demand for pickups continued to decline, with registrations down -26.9%. Elsewhere, 4x4s saw 1.1% growth despite tough economic conditions, as more high-tech, ultra efficient new models joined the market.
Prolonged lockdown measures mean performance in the year to date has almost halved (-44.6%), down more than 87,500 units, with registrations of light commercial vehicles in negative growth for five of the six first months of the year, and all segments experiencing a double-digit decline in the first half of the year.
