June 2019 was the sixth consecutive month of growth for UK new light commercial vehicle sales as volume rose 13.5%, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Sales set a record for the first six months of the year, as buyers continued to be attracted by offers and model choice.

Demand for smaller vans weighing under 2.0 tonnes rose 10.3% year on year in June while sales of larger vans (2.5-3.5 tonnes) were up also, rising 22.2%.

However, demand for pickups and 4x4s slowed again with registrations down 0.7% and 21.8% respectively, and sales of medium sized vans (2.0-2.5 tonnes) also fell, off 3.6%.

For H1 2019, the LCV market was "remarkably strong", SMMT said, up 8.7% and "ahead of  expectations".

A tally of 196,418 new vans was registered, 15,722 more than a year ago.

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Apart from 4x4s, sales of which are relatively small, all segments posted healthy rises with the strongest growth seen in demand for larger vans (2.5 to 3.5-tonnes).

The news came as both Fiat and Toyota announced updated or additional and electrified van models due in showrooms in 2020.

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