UK new van market shows slight growth in February 2019

The UK new van market showed a slight growth in February 2019, with an increase of 1.8% in sales from February 2018 to February 2019, Vansdirect reveals all!

February new van registrations

Statistics released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have revealed a steady UK new van market in February 2019, showing a growth of 1.8% in registrations last month in comparison with the same period in 2018. The steady increase follows an incredibly positive start to the year in January, where registrations also grew by 9.6%.

Leading the way last month were small vans, which showed an increase of 4.6% in registrations, at the other end of the sizing scale, it was also an impressive month for large vans with registrations increasing 4.2%. However, not all categories enjoyed a fruitful February, registrations of medium vans fell by 4.5% with pick-ups falling by a smaller figure of 2.4%.

Buyers awaiting the March plate change

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes had his say on the 'welcome news' of the stability of the UK new van market in February, commenting:

"While stability in the new van market in February is welcome news, it is important to remember that February is typically a quiet month, as buyers await the March plate change. The increase follows a turbulent few months for van registrations and the effect of ongoing political and economic uncertainty on business confidence is likely to result in further fluctuations throughout the year."

New van registrations

Ford vans again led the way in February, with three of the four best-selling new vans from last month and four in the top ten sellers list. The Ford Transit Custom again led the way in first place, ahead of the Ford Transit in second. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter stopped it being all Ford vans in the top three, moving up three places from sixth place in January, with the Ford Transit Connect having to settle for fourth place, having moved up from fifth last month.

It was also a positive month for Vauxhall vans, the Vauxhall Vivaro moved up an impressive five places to take fifth place in the table last month, whilst there was a new top ten entry in the form of International Van of the Year 2019 winner, the Vauxhall Combo. The Combo earns the bragging rights over its Citroen Berlingo sister van which had to settle for seventh place in the table last month, moving up from eighth place in January.

In eighth place, it was a disappointing month for the Volkswagen Transporter van, falling five spots from January, whilst in ninth place, new top ten entry the Peugeot Expert displaced big brother the Peugeot Boxer which exited the top ten last month. Propping up the top ten table was the Ford Ranger pick-up, falling three places from seventh place in January. There was no room in the top ten for the fourth best-selling new van of January, the Mitsubishi L200, with buyers appearing keen to wait for the facelifted Mitsubishi L200 to join the market.

New vans on finance

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