Record year for van sales predicted

11th September 2015

Commercial vehicle operators moving away from larger vehicles to 3.5-tonne vans will lead to a record year for light commercial vehicle sales this year.

That’s according to CAP, the used vehicle pricing analysts, who believe that LCV registrations are likely to top 360,000 this year, due in part to the improving economy but mainly shaped by operators moving to smaller light commercials due to driving licence changes, driver CPC requirements, operator’s licence requirements and the increased kerb weight of many Euro 6 models.

“The predicted record number of LCV registrations flies in the face of some industry forecasts that a decline in sector share for traditional 7.5-tonne vehicles would see operators moving up to 10-or 12-tonne vehicles, which in theory provides a more efficient vehicle” John Watts, CAP’s Senior Editor for commercial vehicles, said.  “But as we anticipated, this simply hasn’t happened.  In 2010, 3.4% of sales were in this weight band, but the sector share has dropped to only 2.6% this year.

"Many operators have replaced 7.5-tonne vehicles with 3.5-tonne light commercials which are not subject to operator’s licence, tachograph, HGV MOT or driver’s licence legislation.  Their operating costs are significantly lower, there are no weight restrictions, they are much more manoeuvrable, their physical presence is less intrusive, and their environmental impact is perceived as less.  Consequently, the light commercial market is enjoying unprecedented growth.”

CAP has also predicted that around 45,000 heavy goods vehicles will be registered in 2015.