Commercial vehicle sales in the UK rose 25.3% in March to 67,965 units due, the SMMT said, to “positive van and truck performance” with demand for larger models boosting volume.
Van registrations – led by 2.5 – 3.5t models, rose 23.6% to 61,894.
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Year to date van volume rose 22.3% to 97,775 units while trucks were up 41% to 10,681.
“Demand for commercial vehicles remains buoyant in 2015, with both vans and trucks achieving a strong first quarter performance yet again,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. “This continued upturn, and the third month of consecutive growth, can be attributed to higher levels of consumer and business confidence.
“In the van and truck markets, there has been a clear shift towards the larger vehicles in the sector in the first three months of the year. Both 2.5–3.5 tonne vans and three-axle artic trucks have seen a sharp increase in registrations as operators seek to make their fleets as flexible and cost-effective as possible.”
| March | % change | Year-to-date | % change | Rolling year | % change | |
| Vans | 61,894 | 23.6% | 97,775 | 22.3% | 339,544 | 20.4% |
| Trucks | 6,071 | 45.7% | 10,681 | 41.0% | 44,576 | -17.0% |
| Total | 67,965 | 25.3% | 108,456 | 24.0% | 384,120 | 14.4% |
