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
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
Wednesday, 08 December 2010 04:56 | 
Written by Neil McIntee
November sees continued rise in new van sales
Official figures compiled by the Society of Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) show that sales of new vans up to 3.5t for November rose by a healthy 26.1 per cent month-on-month compared to last year with a total of 19,128. Admittedly the 2009 figures were disastrous, but the continued monthly increases in 2010 — and this is the tenth consecutive month — are encouraging. This takes the year-to-date total to 205,829, an increase of 19.4 per cent compared to 2009.
As always Ford tops the sales charts, taking a 26.8 per cent market share (5,120), with Volkswagen performing well in second place with 13.3 per cent (2,545). Vauxhall took the third slot with an 11 per cent share (2,060), but the surprise performer was Renault in fourth with 1,969 registrations which equates to a 10.3 per cent share; a month-on-month increase of 80.2 per cent.
Year-on-year figures to the end of November represent a rise of 19.4 per cent; 205,829 compared to 172,349 in 2009. Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen take the top three slots.
There’s more encouraging news, this time from the generally lacklustre above-6.0t truck market sector. Sales of 3,149 equate to a month-on-month rise of 97.7 per cent, but the year-on-year figures still represent a significant decline; now running at -5.9 per cent.
“November saw the sharpest rise in combined van and truck volumes so far this year as demand continues to recover from a low base. Van registrations have grown since February, whilst trucks surged recently, led by three-axle tractor demand, typically for rental and contract hire work,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive.
“Next year will continue to be challenging as consumer and public spending tighten, keeping rolling volumes well down on pre-recession levels however further moderate growth is expected.”
