March registrations rounded off a positive quarter, it says, and represented two-thirds of the Q1 volume. To date, almost 99,000 new LCVs have hit the roads in January to March – a rise of 1.2% on the same quarter last year.
“Traditionally one of the busiest months of the year for the new British van market, March’s new 16 plate gave a welcome boost, closing the first quarter on a positive note after a more subdued start to the year,” says Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
“Following the sector’s record performance set in 2015, we expect to see steadier growth over the coming months.”
The trend towards heavier vehicles continued in March: a decline in registrations of vans under 2.5 tonnes was outstripped by a 14.2% boost in the 2.5- to 3.5-tonne category.
The 3.5- to 6-tonne sector saw registrations fall slightly by just under 2%, while demand for pick-ups showed a 5.3% gain in March.
