The UK's new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market saw record breaking sales in November, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

A total of 29,784 new vans were registered last month – the most for two decades.

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A 43.1% uplift in sales of smaller vans weighing 2.0-2.5 tonnes drove growth last month while demand for versatile pickups also continued to rise – by a significant 36.7%.

Demand for heavier vans, however, fell for the second consecutive month, with registrations for vehicles weighing 2.5-3.5 tonnes down 4.4%. However, year to date, this segment remains strong, up 7% in the first 11 months of the year, accounting for 62% of sales.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "The new van market's growth in November is welcome news and an encouraging sign of ongoing business confidence. With almost 350,000 light commercials registered so far this year, the sector remains on track to beat 2015's record-breaking performance."

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