The UK new van market saw steady growth in May 2016, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rose 1.9% to 28,240 hitting British roads – the highest number on record for the month.  

Year-to-date sales rose 2.9% to 158,402 units so far in 2016. Heavy vans (>2.5-3.5t) continued to dominate the market this year, enjoying the largest growth with a 13.3% increase on 2015. Pick-up sales were up 9.6% to 18,674 YTD.

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Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said; "Although May was a record breaking month for the UK's light commercial vehicle market, the pace of growth is easing and is indicative of the performance we anticipate this year following the very high levels of demand seen in 2015. Providing there are no political or economic shocks to business confidence over the coming months, we expect the LCV sector's good health to prevail during the remainder of 2016 as consumer appetite for online deliveries continues to grow."

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