12/07/2010 16:48:12

SMMT registration figures for June were considerably more encouraging than those seen over recent months, with lightweight commercial vehicle sales up by more than 17% on the same month in 2009. Below 3.5 tonnes, the picture has been steadily improving over the past 6 months with expectations for the 2010 tally being around 20% higher. Even truck registrations were up by more than 5% over the month, yet still languish 16% down year-to-date (YTD). Overall, this strong monthly performance lifted the YTD total for all commercial vehicles to 122,336 units; up 10.6% on the corresponding period last year.

With sales statistics for the first-half now in, it is clear that it will take an enormous effort from the franchise networks to get registrations of heavies even close to the modest full-year total achieved in 2009. However, sales of new trucks and vans are set to improve over the next 18 months which should provide further encouragement to the whole industry.