New Van Sales Tumble
Tuesday 14 February 2012 Back to Blog
January has never been a good time for new van sales, and January 2012 is no exception. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders (SMMT) each January for the last fourteen years has become steadily worse, with an annual decrease of 16.4%.
January 2012 saw 14,338 van units shifted. Despite the decline 2011 saw a 12.6% increase in new van sales overall with 257,337 units sold despite economic pressures and the recession.
Forecasters such as the SMMT felt new van registrations would come in around the 17,000 mark, a quota the reality failed to deliver.
All van sectors failed to hit forecast figures, with the heavy van sector particularly hit. Sales in this sector were down 16.8% to 7794 units sold.
Small vans together with medium vans also failed to live up to forecaster billing.
Paul Everitt of the SMMT said: "If the year pans out as expected van registrations will be stable in very weak economic and uneasy financial settings.
"Government support for business will be key to maintaining market stability. If confidence can be maintained through the year, we should see growth in 2013."
Most markets take a hit in January as money is thin on the ground following the Christmas break. Traditionally, most businesses build momentum throughout the year and no doubt van registrations will be no different with many manufacturers having new models on the drawing board, and some are due for release next year.
The electric commercial van market looks particularly exciting.