Sales of new vans – often a pointer to the state of a country's economy – got off to a positive start in January 2017, albeit with a small 1.2% year on year growth in registrations, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Registrations of heavy vans weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, which make up the bulk of the market, rose 5.6% in January. Meanwhile, pickups' popularity continued to grow following a successful 2016, with registrations increasing 28.9%.
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Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Vans are the backbone of British business so it is positive to see the strength of the market continue into 2017. With the success of the sector so closely linked to business confidence, government must ensure the conditions that have delivered this growth are maintained."
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