The figure is a 9.5% improvement over September 2003 and a 7.6% increase over the first nine months of last year. Heavy vans (2.6t to 3.5t GVW) have led the growth in the sector with a 21.1% increase in September compared with last year, and 15.1% for the year-to-date.

Medium vans (1.8t to 2.5t GVW) grew by 15.9% year-on-year in September, while light vans dropped 6% with changing fortunes for Ford and Vauxhall – Ford growing and Vauxhall cooling compared with last year.

Nissan became the fastest growing manufacturer in the LCV market with sales up 78% in 2004 and a 5.6% market share in September.