The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew 8.6% in January, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
A total of 22,236 new vans and pick-ups joined UK roads in the first month of the year, an uplift of 1,761 compared with January 2018.
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All segments saw growth in the month, except medium vans weighing 2.0-2.5 tonnes, where demand fell 3.9%. Car-derived vans weighing less than 2.0 tonnes and pickups both saw double-digit increases, by 31.7% and 13.4%, boosted by new model introductions and sales campaigns. Demand also grew for large vans weighing 2.5-3.5 tonnes, increasing by 7.1%, to 13,268 vehicles.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "January's positive performance follows a mixed 2018, which finished on a particularly poor December, so some bounce back was to be expected. Further fluctuations in demand are predicted over the coming months as the UKs post-Brexit future remains uncertain. Operators need stability to invest and renew their fleets."
