Van sales fall

COMMERCIAL vehicle registrations followed fleet sales south last month, dropping by 7.4% to 16,731. Worst hit was the bus and coach market, where sales dived by more than a third to 194.

Car-derived van sales fell by a massive 20.1% and light van sales fell by 7.7% to 13,348.

Vans in the 2.6 to 3.5 tonne gvw sector fell by a more modest 3.4% to 7,201. Meanwhile, pick-up sales rose by 33.4% while 4x4 utility registrations were down 26.2%.

For the year-to-date, total commercial vehicle sales were up 3.4%, with light commercial vehicle sales up by the same amount to 42,213.