VAN sales are fractionally down year-on-year, but were boosted by a rise in 1.8-3.5-tonne van sales last month, according to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures.

Van sales this year total 188,368, down from 193,206 in 1998. Sales in the sub-1.8-tonne sector this year total 67,941 (1998: 70,485), while sales in the larger sector total 120,427 (1998: 122,721). Last month small van sales totalled 6,066, down 15.2% (October 1998: 7,152), while sales of larger vans reached 11,699 (October 1998: 10,732).