UK new light commercial vehicle sales grew in May, up 5.4%, as 29,142 new vans were registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
May was the fifth consecutive month for growth in the LCV sector as buyers responded to new models and competitive offers.
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Wider trends seen throughout 2019 continued, with demand for smaller vans weighing less than two tonnes rising most in the month, up 14.0%. Registrations of mid-sized and larger vans weighing 2.0 to 2.5-tonnes and 2.5 to 3.5-tonnes also rose, up 10.2% and 5.3% respectively. Elsewhere, pickups and 4x4s stalled, down 1.8% and 26.3% respectively.
Year-to-date, however, the UKs LCV market remained robust, up 7.5% with 156,489 new units sold and all segments posting rises.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Another month of growth for the UK's van market is welcome news, evidence that investment by manufacturers into new models is continuing to help attract buyers. Vans today are more high-tech than ever, with impressive fuel economy, safety features and performance. However, business purchasing is cyclical in nature and for the market to stay strong we need the right economic and political conditions."
