Van registrations were up by 1.2% in January, with more than 21,000 new light commercial vehicles hitting the UK roads, according to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Vans in the 2.5 to 3.5-tonne segment performed well, growing by 5.6%. And, while 4x4 sales were poor (just 54 units), the pick-up sector continued its recent run of form, notching up an increase of almost 29% compared with January 2016.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, says: “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.”
In terms of marques, Ford held the top three spots and its Transit Custom was the clear leader with more than 3,000 units sold last month.
