New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Tuesday, 08 February 2011 08:56 | 
Written by Russell Brown
Figures just released by the Society of Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) reveal that registrations of vans up to 3.5t almost doubled year-on-year compared to 2010.A total of 17,154 found homes last month, equating to a rise of 48.6 per cent. To put this in perspective, however, it must be remembered that January 2010 sales were among the worst ever recorded.
As always Ford topped the charts, with 4,558 registrations, while Vauxhall was second at 2,499, closely followed by Volkswagen with 2,037. This represents increases of 73 per cent, 44 per cent and 76 per cent respectively. Market shares of the top three for 2011 stand at 27 per cent, 15.0 per cent and 11.9 per cent.
It’s not such a rosy story further up the weight scale. Sales in the 3.5t – 6.0t sector fell by 6.0 per cent year-on-year. Move over 6.0t and into truck territory, though, and it’s all happiness and light again with an increase of 77.9 per cent; that’s 2,136 compared to 2010’s 1,201.
Commenting on the January results SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt said: “Strong growth continues for van and truck registrations although uncertainty remains over the year ahead. “A 49 per cent rise in the van market and 56 per cent for 7.5t-and-above trucks is a good start to the year, but next month’s Budget could prove crucial if freight operators’ concerns over fuel duty and access to credit for business investment are not addressed.”
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