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The latest figures released by SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) show a great start to 2023 for the UK commercial vehicle industry. With January figures boasting the best start to the year since 2012 for commercial vehicle manufacture, some were concerned that the trend would not continue. February is usually a challenging month thanks to the plate change at the beginning of March – customers often hold orders in order to register them with the newest registration. However, February 2023 has been the best performance since this key change has been made.
17,540 vehicles were registered in February 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This figure represents an 8.5% rise from February 2023.
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The biggest category of light commercial vehicle includes vans weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes. This category consists of 12,125 vehicles, up 14% from 10,638 in February 2022, and makes up more than two thirds of the total market (69.1%). This is likely reflective of a boarder trend towards larger units.
VANS BETWEEN 2.5 and 3.5 TONNESMAKE UP 69.1% OF THE MARKET
Medium sized vans weighing between 2.0 and 2.5 tonnes are the only size category that has reduced since last year. 3,361 2.0 – 2.5t vans have been registered this year, which is a reduction of 116.5% from last year, which saw 4,024 such vehicles produced. The smallest categories of LCV, pickups and 4x4s, both saw double digit percentage change from 2022 to 2023. 1,563 pickups were registered in 2023 (42.3% year on year change) and 145 4x4s were registered (90.8% change). At the other end of the scale, large rigids saw a respectable 37.5% growth, going from 248 registrations in 2022 to 341 in 2023. This category covers larger commercial vehicles that measure between 3.5 and 6.0 tonnes. |
In a blow to net zero targets, battery electric vans saw a decline from an incredible February 2022. Only 996 such vehicles were registered in 2023, down -44.5% from the 1,741 that were registered in 2022. They currently hold 5.5% of the market, with the vast majority of vehicles being diesel (92.8% of the market). It is thought that growth will bounce back later in the year as more electric models are set for release onto the market. SMMT reports that the latest market outlook predicts a 64.5% rise in electric van registrations through 2023, taking it up to approximately 28,000 by the end of this year.
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Ford remains the most popular brand for light commercial vehicles less than 3.5 tonnes, making up 34.7% of all LCVs registered. They are the most popular brand by a large margin, with all other brands remaining below 2,000 units. For larger vehicles (3.5 to 6.0 tonnes), Mercedes is the most popular brand (119 vehicles), with Ford (74 vehicles) in third place behind Fiat (80 vehicles). Ford Transits lead the best seller list with a combined total of 4,102 in February alone. The next most popular model is the Vauxhall Vivaro, with 1,203 units. All other models, including the Citroen Berlingo, Renault Trafic and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans didn’t quite make it to 1,000 units for the month. |
