Commercial vehicle demand grew 27.0% in October to 35,027 units, driving the market up 14.1% to surpass 300,000 units.
Truck registrations saw a sharp upturn of 65.7% to 8,457 units, marking the first month of growth for the market in 2014. Year-to-date levels remain down 9.2%.
Van market continues strong performance, up 18.2% in October to 26,570 units, and up 18.1% for the year-to-date.
UK van and truck registrations: 2014 and % change on 2013
| October | % change | Year-to-date | % change | Rolling year | % change | |
| Vans | 26,570 | 18.2% | 268,641 | 18.1% | 312,237 | 19.1% |
| Trucks | 8,457 | 65.7% | 35,842 | -9.2% | 52,603 | 12.1% |
| Total | 35,027 | 27.0% | 304,483 | 14.1% | 364,840 | 18.0% |
“October marks the first month of 2014 in which truck registrations have seen positive growth, given the paucity of demand following the introduction of Euro-6. While encouraging, we should treat such a sharp percentage increase with caution, owing to a relatively small total market and new type approval regulations coming into force at the end of the month,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “Van registrations also performed well, yielding solid growth for the total commercial vehicle market.”
UK van and truck registrations
| Month | Oct-14 | Oct-13 | % change |
| Pickups | 2,581 | 2,350 | 9.8% |
| 4x4s | 695 | 534 | 30.1% |
| Vans <= 2.0t | 2,964 | 2,629 | 12.7% |
| Vans > 2.0 – 2.5t | 5,207 | 3,513 | 48.2% |
| Vans > 2.5 – 3.5t | 15,123 | 13,447 | 12.5% |
| All Vans to 3.5T | 26,570 | 22,473 | 18.2% |
| Rigids > 3.5 – 6.0t | 548 | 506 | 8.3% |
| Rigids > 6.0 – 16t | 1,901 | 887 | 114.3% |
| Rigids > 16t | 3,386 | 1,233 | 174.6% |
| All rigids | 5,835 | 2,626 | 122.2% |
| 2-axle artics | 388 | 455 | -14.7% |
| 3-axle artics | 2,234 | 2,024 | 10.4% |
| All artics | 2,622 | 2,479 | 5.8% |
| Year-to-date | YTD-14 | YTD-13 | % change |
| Pickups | 28,666 | 25,072 | 14.3% |
| 4x4s | 7,222 | 5,911 | 22.2% |
| Vans <= 2.0t | 33,890 | 36,377 | -6.8% |
| Vans > 2.0 – 2.5t | 47,881 | 33,226 | 44.1% |
| Vans > 2.5 – 3.5t | 150,982 | 126,891 | 19.0% |
| All Vans to 3.5T | 268,641 | 227,477 | 18.1% |
| Rigids > 3.5 – 6.0t | 5,522 | 5,590 | -1.2% |
| Rigids > 6.0 – 16t | 7,022 | 7,985 | -12.1% |
| Rigids > 16t | 10,733 | 9,993 | 7.4% |
| All rigids | 23,277 | 23,568 | -1.2% |
| 2-axle artics | 1,857 | 2,634 | -29.5% |
| 3-axle artics | 10,708 | 13,255 | -19.2% |
| All artics | 12,565 | 15,889 | -20.9% |
| Rolling Year | RY-14 | RY-13 | % change |
| Pickups | 32,988 | 28,833 | 14.4% |
| 4x4s | 8,192 | 6,837 | 19.8% |
| Vans <= 2.0t | 39,270 | 41,781 | -6.0% |
| Vans > 2.0 – 2.5t | 54,268 | 37,631 | 44.2% |
| Vans > 2.5 – 3.5t | 177,519 | 147,175 | 20.6% |
| All Vans to 3.5T | 312,237 | 262,257 | 19.1% |
| Rigids > 3.5 – 6.0t | 6,720 | 6,401 | 5.0% |
| Rigids > 6.0 – 16t | 10,656 | 9,414 | 13.2% |
| Rigids > 16t | 15,984 | 11,553 | 38.4% |
| All rigids | 33,360 | 27,368 | 21.9% |
| 2-axle artics | 3,074 | 3,414 | -10.0% |
| 3-axle artics | 16,169 | 16,139 | 0.2% |
| All artics | 19,243 | 19,553 | -1.6% |
About SMMT and the UK 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 £64 billion turnover and £12 billion value added. With more than 160,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and in excess of 770,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 10% of total UK export of goods and invests £1.9 billion each 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.
