The increase saw 10,064 units registered in the first quarter of the year, up on 2020 albeit following a weak Q1 last year when lockdown measures introduced partway through March and fluctuations in the fleet renewal cycle subdued demand and still 15.1% down on pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2019.
Articulated trucks saw the biggest increase in demand, with registrations up 25.3% to 4,528 vehicles, while rigids decreased 0.8% to 5,536 units.
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Tractors remained the biggest segment, making up 44.3% of the market, with 26.6% more units registered than Q1 2020. Tipper registrations also increased, up 10.8%. However, registrations of most segments dropped, as the pandemic affected business operations, suppressing demand for most of the past year.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The rise in truck registrations is welcome news but it does not yet signify full recovery, especially as it’s in comparison with a quarter when the first lockdown was introduced.”
