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
Van sales remain strong throughout 2011
Registrations of light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonne for 2011 (260,153) were up 16.7 per cent year-on-year compared to 2010 (222,915), according to the official figures complied by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This is despite a December month-on-month rise of just 7.8 per cent; 18,416 compared to 2010’s 17,088. Ford topped the tables for December managing sales of 3,806, with Volkswagen taking second place on 2,873 and Vauxhall coming in third, 246 behind the German manufacturer. Full year figures for 2011 put Ford firmly in first place, taking a 27.0 per cent market share — slightly up on 2010 — thanks to sales of 70,226. Vauxhall pipped VW (31,716) to the second slot on 33,514, representing a share of 12.9 per cent.
Taking all commercial vehicles into account, including trucks, the market showed a healthy year-on-year increase of 17.8 per cent. “The van and truck market has enjoyed a consistent growth throughout 2011,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “Renewed business confidence fuelled the month-on-month rises, while innovative developments in vehicle design and technologies provided solid business reasons for companies to upgrade their vehicles in 2011. There can be no room for complacency this year, government must deliver its growth strategy and help strengthen business and consumer confidence.”
