Renault Master E-Tec van
Registrations of new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fell by -14.9% in April to 20,332 units, the fifth consecutive month of decline and a five-year low.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), which released the data, said it was the worst April performance since 2020.
It attributed the low sales volumes to a late Easter and weak business confidence as businesses opted not to renew vehicles.
April’s decline was led by -22.9% fewer registrations of the largest new vans, down to 12,113 units, albeit still representing almost six in 10 (59.6%) new LCVs.
Deliveries of medium and small new vans also fell, by -5.8% and -5.5% to 4,344 and 571 units respectively.
The contraction was softened by growth in new 4x4s, up 19.2% to 564 units while, more substantially, registrations of pickups rose for the second consecutive month, by 10.2% to 2,740.
The uplift in pick-ups was probably due to the fulfilment of orders placed before the introduction of new fiscal measures to treat double-cabs as cars for benefit in kind and capital allowance purposes.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Five months of shrinking demand for new vans reflects weaker business confidence and a challenging economic environment.”
