Van Registrations Increase in December
Monday 09 January 2012 Back to Blog
The amount of van registrations in December marked a year on year increase of 7.8%, making 2011 a highly successful year for new van purchases.
2011 has saw an overall 16.7% more new vans sold outright than 2010, making last year one of the most successful, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Despite the good statistics, Paul Everitt, head of the SMMT issued a stark warning for the Government to deliver a good economic strategy to cope with recession and to allow fleet operators to see growth on their balance sheet, and warned about the dangers of compliancy.
Speaking about 2011s figures however, he was far more upbeat, saying: "Renewed business confidence fuelled month-on-month rises, while innovative developments in vehicle design and technologies provided solid business reasons for companies to upgrade in 2011."
Heavy vans accounted for half of the 260,153 units sold during 2011, totalling 140,840 units. In December, heavy and medium vans, while pick-up vans, 4 x4s and smaller vans saw a decline.
The need to purchase vehicles by fleet operators and owner drivers was driven by a number of factors such as better fuel consumption technology, the new LEZ regulations which apply to London, and rising fuel costs.
Volkswagen did particularly well last year with all of its vehicles winning user and critic applause in many key categories. All vehicle manufacturers implemented better fuel and emission technology to drive down the costs of running a commercial vehicle in response to regulation and demand.