New van market declines in November

New van registrations experienced a decrease in demand in November for the third consecutive month!

Statistics released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have today revealed a decrease of 11.1 percent in new van registrations in November 2017 in comparison with November 2016. A total of 26,486 new van registrations were made last month in comparison with 29,784 in November 2017, as the new van market declined for the third month in a row.

New van registrations

The decrease in November succeeds a decrease of 7.4 percent in October 2017 and is the third successive month of declines which have got progressively higher in percentages, following three months of increased registrations. SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes remained bullish about the new van market and focused on the important role of the government in strengthening the new van market again:

"While the market decline is worrying, it remains at an historically high level. Nevertheless, economic and political uncertainty continues to affect business confidence and with it new van purchasing patterns which is damaging, both for the market and for efforts to improve air quality. Getting more of the latest, Euro 6 LCVs onto our roads is the fastest way to reduce emissions so, to avoid a prolonged downturn, it is vital that government works to restore the conditions that give operators confidence to invest in their fleets."

Despite an impressive year for new pick-up vans which has seen an overall increase of 7.9 percent in registrations, they experienced a decline in registrations of 14.4 percent in November 2017 in comparison with November 2016. All other new van categories experienced a decrease in registrations: 9.4 percent in terms of new large vans, however with 16,593 new large van registrations last month they remained the best-selling new van category.

New small vans were the biggest casualty last month, experiencing a 21.7 decrease in registrations from November 2016, new medium vans also experienced a dip last month of 8.9 percent.

LCV registrations this year to date have fallen 4.1 percent overall, however demand for new vans remains at a high level.

November's best-selling new vans

The top 10 best-selling new vans table has witnessed some changes, however the top selling new van remained the same. In first place, you guessed it, the new Ford Transit Custom van selling an impressive 3501 units. The big brother of the Ford Transit Custom however, the new Ford Transit slipped from second to third in the table, being replaced in second place by the new Mercedes Sprinter. An impressive month for the Sprinter seeing the large van rise two places in the table from fourth last month, as a result of this surge from the Mercedes van, the new Volkswagen Transporter fell one place to fourth in the table last month.

Unmoved in fifth place, the third top ten entry for Ford vans, the new Ford Transit Connect. In sixth place the new Vauxhall Vivaro moved up once place to sixth, with the new Ford Ranger moving up two places to seventh in the table cemented another excellent month for new Ford vans. Peugeot vans also had an impressive month once again with two top ten entries, however it wasn't all rosy with one of these entries, the new Peugeot Boxer falling four places from sixth to tenth last month. News was better for the other entry from new Peugeot vans, with the Peugeot Partner moving up two places to eighth. Completing the top 10 line up is the sister van of the Peugeot Partner, the Citroen Berlingo falling one place to ninth in the table last month.

The top 10 selling new vans remained the same as last month and are the top 10 selling new vans of 2017, albeit in a different order!

New van finance

At Vansdirect not only do we keep you updated with all of the latest van news, we also have a whole host of new vans for sale from all of the major manufacturers, including all of this month's top 10 best-sellers! All of our new vans are available with flexible van finance options, choose from van leasing, contract hire and hire purchase to finance your new van! Looking for a new van? Call us today on 0845 021 0444 or submit your details online, we also do cars!