Registrations of new commercial vehicles soared by 27.3% month-on-month in October, according to latest data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The highest monthly increase came from trucks, with registrations up by 32% at 5,105 units – bringing year-to-date volumes back into growth at 3.2%.
Van registrations were up by 26.3% month-on-month, with 22,473 new registrations – an increase of 11% for the year so far.
"Both the van and truck markets showed great strength in October, boosting the sector by 27.3% and taking the 2013 growth rate to almost 10%," comments Nigel Base, SMMT commercial vehicle manager.
"We anticipated this late strength in the truck market and SMMT has raised its forecast for van registrations to 264,100, a 10.2% rise on last year," he adds.
In detail, three-axle and two-axle articulated vehicles saw rises of 37% and 40% (2,024 and 455) respectively, while for rigids, the greatest increase in registrations was in the 3,5—6.0 tonnes bracket at 42%, with 16 tonners and above showing growth at 34% and 6.0—16 tonne vehicles languishing at 13%.
The fastest rising van categories were 2.0—2.5 tonnes at 45% (3,513) and 2.5—3.5 tonnes (13,447 new registrations).