The UK's new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market saw record breaking sales in November, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

A total of 29,784 new vans were registered last month – the most for two decades.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

A 43.1% uplift in sales of smaller vans weighing 2.0-2.5 tonnes drove growth last month while demand for versatile pickups also continued to rise – by a significant 36.7%.

Demand for heavier vans, however, fell for the second consecutive month, with registrations for vehicles weighing 2.5-3.5 tonnes down 4.4%. However, year to date, this segment remains strong, up 7% in the first 11 months of the year, accounting for 62% of sales.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "The new van market's growth in November is welcome news and an encouraging sign of ongoing business confidence. With almost 350,000 light commercials registered so far this year, the sector remains on track to beat 2015's record-breaking performance."

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact