VAN sales in the first six months are ahead of 1999's half-year total, according to latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures. Sub-1.8-tonne van sales last month totalled 7,252 (June 1999: 7,301) taking this year's total sector sales to 40,497 (1999: 40,329) with Citroen, Vauxhall and Suzuki all reporting significant increases while most rivals saw sales slump year-on-year.

Sales in the 1.8-3.5-tonne sector last month totalled 14,078 (June 1999: 12,651) taking year-to-date sales to 77,438 (1999: 71,437) with Citroen, Fiat, Vauxhall, LDV, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot and Volkswagen all supporting large year-on-year sales increases.