UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales declined by 5.9% in July, with 23,309 vans and pick-ups registered, according to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) data.
While pick up trucks enjoyed a particularly popular month, with a 13.9% uplift in registrations, demand for small, medium and large vans fell by 2.8%, 28.0% and 3.8% respectively.
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Year to date registrations were down 2.7%, with 204,005 new LCVs sold since January, a result of fluctuating fleet buying cycles coupled with ongoing low business confidence.
SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said: "While variations in buying cycles are a natural feature of the light commercials sector and demand is still at high levels, the overall trend is one of decline. Ongoing uncertainty and low business confidence are undoubtedly having an effect; therefore government must address these concerns and create the conditions necessary for the market to prosper."
The UK new car market remained stable in July, with year on year demand growing by 1.2%, according to the SMMT.
Some 163,898 new cars were registered in the month as sales stabilised following a turbulent first six months. Year to date, the market remained down 5.5%.
