SALES of light commercial vehicles were 3.9% ahead during the first three months of 2002, despite weaker demand in March that saw sales slip by 5.5%.

In total, 67,046 LCVs were sold between January and March. The SMMT said slower economic growth and an increase in interest rates are expected to inhibit sales this year, although the outlook is still positive.

In March, pick-up sales were ahead by 117.2% to 1,514, 4x4 utilities were ahead by 24.9% to 1,692, and microvans were up 12.9% to 603. The mainstream sub-1.8 tonne sector was 11.6% down in March at 10,141 sales (2001: 11,466), while registrations in the 2.6 to 3.5 tonne market slipped back 4.2% to 22,124 units (2001: 23,099), following 14 months of growth.

However, Vauxhall had a strong March, with the Astravan, Combo and Vivaro selling well, to leave it 13% ahead for the month at 4,161 units. The Vivaro's sister, the Trafic, almost doubled Renault's sales in the 1.8-3.5 tonne sector to 2,010 (2001: 1,159) during the first three months of 2002.

Fiat also advanced in the heavier sector, increasing its 1.8-3.5 tonne sales by 16% to 2,071 between January and March. Citroen forged ahead in the sub-1.8 tonne sector where the Berlingo rose 15% to 4,289 sales.

However, Ford's year-on-year sales are down: sales of sub-1.8 tonne vans slipped to 5,631 (2001: 6,387) and 1.8-3.5 tonne vans fell back to 14,140 (2001: 14,734) for the first three months of 2002.