- Total commercial vehicle registrations grew 11.4% in March to 54,232; rolling year up 15.6% to 335,840.
- The combined March and September plate-changes typically account for around a third of the annual van market. Strong 14.6% rise to 50,064 van registrations is in line with expectations.
- Truck registrations continued the Euro-6 lag, but the monthly shortfall fell to -16.5% from -27% in February and -37% in January. The 12 months to March remained up 23%.
UK van and truck registrations: 2014 and % change on 2013
| March | % change | Year-to-date | % change | Rolling year | % change | |
| Vans | 50,064 | 14.6% | 79,917 | 16.0% | 282,108 | 14.3% |
| Trucks | 4,168 | -16.5% | 7,574 | -24.7% | 53,732 | 23.0% |
| Total | 54,232 | 11.4% | 87,491 | 10.8% | 335,840 | 15.6% |
“The new 14-plate drove van numbers up, pushing the overall commercial vehicle market 11.4% ahead of 2013 to more than 54,000 units,” said Mike Hawes SMMT Chief Executive. “Registration plate changes always prove popular with van buyers, so March and September numbers are typically more than double the average month, a trend continued this March as volumes rose 14.6% to above 50,000 units. Truck demand remained subdued as the influence of Euro-6 legislation continues to be felt across the sector, but the level of impact has lessened steadily since January and should be minimal by mid-year.”
UK van and truck registrations
| Month | Mar-14 | Mar-13 | % change |
| Pickups | 5,850 | 5,199 | 12.5% |
| 4x4s | 1,561 | 1,298 | 20.3% |
| Vans <= 2.0t | 6,703 | 8,226 | -18.5% |
| Vans > 2.0 – 2.5t | 8,490 | 5,478 | 55.0% |
| Vans > 2.5 – 3.5t | 27,460 | 23,483 | 16.9% |
| All Vans to 3.5t | 50,064 | 43,684 | 14.6% |
| Rigids > 3.5 – 6.0t | 1,138 | 897 | 26.9% |
| Rigids > 6.0 – 16t | 689 | 1,153 | -40.2% |
| Rigids > 16t | 836 | 1,277 | -34.5% |
| All rigids | 2,663 | 3,327 | -20.0% |
| 2-axle artics | 167 | 262 | -36.3% |
| 3-axle artics | 1,338 | 1,402 | -4.6% |
| All artics | 1,505 | 1,664 | -9.6% |
| Year-to-date | YTD-14 | YTD-13 | % change |
| Pickups | 9,032 | 8,443 | 7.0% |
| 4x4s | 2,434 | 2,005 | 21.4% |
| Vans <= 2.0t | 10,650 | 12,525 | -15.0% |
| Vans > 2.0 – 2.5t | 13,612 | 9,127 | 49.1% |
| Vans > 2.5 – 3.5t | 44,189 | 36,782 | 20.1% |
| All Vans to 3.5t | 79,917 | 68,882 | 16.0% |
| Rigids > 3.5 – 6.0t | 1,892 | 1,699 | 11.4% |
| Rigids > 6.0 – 16t | 1,385 | 2,097 | -34.0% |
| Rigids > 16t | 1,724 | 2,782 | -38.0% |
| All rigids | 5,001 | 6,578 | -24.0% |
| 2-axle artics | 354 | 593 | -40.3% |
| 3-axle artics | 2,219 | 2,889 | -23.2% |
| All artics | 2,573 | 3,482 | -26.1% |
| Rolling Year | RY-14 | RY-13 | % change |
| Pickups | 29,983 | 26,632 | 12.6% |
| 4x4s | 7,310 | 6,128 | 19.3% |
| Vans <= 2.0t | 39,882 | 42,415 | -6.0% |
| Vans > 2.0 – 2.5t | 44,098 | 31,707 | 39.1% |
| Vans > 2.5 – 3.5t | 160,835 | 139,953 | 14.9% |
| All Vans to 3.5t | 282,108 | 246,835 | 14.3% |
| Rigids > 3.5 – 6.0t | 6,981 | 6,635 | 5.2% |
| Rigids > 6.0 – 16t | 10,907 | 9,106 | 19.8% |
| Rigids > 16t | 14,186 | 11,105 | 27.7% |
| All rigids | 32,074 | 26,846 | 19.5% |
| 2-axle artics | 3,612 | 2,959 | 22.1% |
| 3-axle artics | 18,046 | 13,877 | 30.0% |
| All artics | 21,658 | 16,836 | 28.6% |
About SMMT and UK the automotive industry
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. It supports the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad, promoting a united position to government, stakeholders and the media.
The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for more than £60 billion turnover and £12 billion value added. With almost 150,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and more than 700,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 10% of total UK exportof goods and invests £1.7 billioneach year in automotive R&D. More than 30 manufacturers build in excess of 70 models of vehicle in the UK supported by around 2,500 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers. More detail on UK automotive is available in SMMT’s Motor Industry Facts 2014 publication atwww.smmt.co.uk/facts14.
