New van market grows 5 percent in August

The UK new van market saw an increase in registrations last month of 5 percent in comparison with August 2017, with many buyers beating the 68-plate van rush!

New van registrations

The new van market increasing 5 percent in August 2018, follows a contrasting month in July where the market fell 5.9 percent. The biggest beneficiaries last month were pick-ups, which experienced a 21.4 percent increase in demand, following on from a July where they also impressed with a 13.9 percent growth. Large vans also benefitted last month, experiencing a 14.6 increase in registrations, whilst it wasn't all good news on the new van front, with medium van registrations decreasing 29.7 percent in comparison with August 2017 and small vans experiencing a 9.3 percent drop in registrations for the same period.

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes saw an increase in registrations as a positive factor, however expects further fluctuations over the coming months:

"August is typically one of the quietest months for new LCV registrations, so the increase in demand for these high-tech, ultra-low and zero-emission vehicles is especially welcome news. While year-to-date figures show the market remains at a reasonably high level, weak business confidence and uncertainty means fluctuations in demand will likely continue throughout year."

August's best-selling new vans

Ford vans led the way again in August, with the Ford Transit Custom again topping the charts as the UK's best-selling new van. The top-ten continues to be littered throughout with Ford vans, however their dominance waned slightly in August, with the Ford Transit slipping one place to third in the table and the Ford Transit Connect falling one place to eighth in last month's table. The Ford Ranger however moved up one place to fifth in August's table, remaining the only pick-up in the top ten.

Second place in the top ten sellers table last month went to a new top ten entry (well sort of) in the form of the Mercedes Sprinter. The brand new model has been labelled the most intelligently connected van the world has ever seen, with buyers clearly impressed with the all-new model. The iconic Volkswagen Transporter van slipped one place in the table last month to fourth, whilst two Peugeot vans experienced contrasting fortunes last month in sixth and seventh places. The Peugeot Partner fell two places to sixth, with the Peugeot Boxer climbing two places in the table to hang on to its coat tails in seventh. The bottom two places last month comprised of the Vauxhall Vivaro in ninth and the Citroen Berlingo in tenth which fell four places and two places in the table last month. There was no room in the top ten for July's tenth place van, time will tell if the Toyota Proace can change its fortunes in September.

Get your new 68-plate vans direct from Vansdirect

The new 68-plate vans are here! Vansdirect has a massive range of brand new vans in stock and cheap van finance options including van leasing, contract hire and hire purchase. We also have bargains available in our 18-plate clearance sale. Your new van search is over, simply fill in a contact form or call us on 0800 169 69 95 to get the ball rolling today, we also offer cars!