New van market declines in January, but demand remains high!

New van registrations experienced a decrease in demand in January 2018, following an impressive December where registrations increased by 2.9 percent!

Statistics released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have today revealed a decrease of 4.2 percent in new van registrations in January 2018 in comparison with January 2017. A total of 20,475 new van registrations were made last month, in comparison with 21,363 in January 2017, as the new van market started the New Year on a disappointing foot.

New van registrations

The decrease in January succeeds an increase of 2.9 percent in December 2017, with SMMT Chief Executive apportioning some responsibility of the decreasing demand to political and economic uncertainty. He also remained confident about the position of the UK new van market:

"With business confidence continuing to be affected by economic and political uncertainty, this decline comes as no surprise. Despite this, the UK van market remains at a very high level and, although purchasing patterns are cyclical they do fluctuate with business confidence, so we continue to look to government to improve conditions so the sector can grow."

Despite an impressive 2017 and figures which showing an overall increase of 7.8 percent, new pick-up vans experienced a decline in demand in January 2018 of 2.9 percent, following an increase of 6 percent in December 2017. new large vans also experienced a decline in January 2018, with large van sales down 1.8 percent in comparison with January 2018. The biggest casualty last month however were small vans, which experienced a decline of 28.9 percent from January 2017. Not all new van categories experienced a decline last month, with medium vans enjoying an increase in registrations of 1.2 percent.

Despite the decrease in LCV registrations of 4.2 percent this year to date, new van demand continues at a high level.

January's best-selling new vans

The top 10 best-selling new vans table witnessed some changes last month, however the number one selling new van remained the same for the umpteenth month in a row. The Ford Transit Custom led the way in an incredible month for Ford vans which saw the brand claim four of the top five best-selling new vans! The Ford Transit climbed two places last month to second in the table, while the Ford Transit Connect remained consistent at fifth place. The big beneficiary last month for Ford vans was the Ford Ranger pick-up, climbing three places to become the fourth best-selling new van last month. The Ford vans were only split in the top five by the iconic Volkswagen Transporter van which regained the same spot in third place as it did in December 2017.

In sixth place, the Peugeot Partner rose two places in the table; however it was a contrast in fortunes for another of the Peugeot vans, the Peugeot Boxer which lost its place in the top 10 table. In seventh place, the Mercedes Sprinter fell a disappointing five places last month. Also falling in the table were the almost identical Vauxhall Vivaro and Renault Trafic vans which fell three places and one place to ninth and tenth in the table respectively. The table was completed by a new entry in eighth, the Citroen Berlingo, Citroen vans will be hoping the Berlingo can retain its place in the top ten next month!

New van finance

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