Apparently, May 2021 was the best May on record for the number of new vans registered here in the UK according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Those of you operating within the motor trade industry, in particular motor traders selling such vehicles, will be pleased to hear this especially as the pandemic is still in situ.

The number of new vans sold in May 2020 in the up to 3.5 tonnes category amounted to 7,541 whereas in May 2021 the figure was 29,354. That is an increase of 21,813 with this equating to a rise of 289.3%.

Breaking down this figure further, the number of new pickups sold in May 2020 totalled 741 compared to 3,570 in May 2021. That is an increase of 381.8%. The number of new 4 x 4s sold in May last year amounted to 26 compared to 399 in May this year. That is a rise of 1,434.6%. The number of new vans in the up to 2.0 tonnes category sold in May 2020 amounted to 360 whereas in May 2021 the figure was 1,743. That is a rise of 384.2%. The number of new vans sold in the 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes category amounted to 1,002 whereas the figure was 3,955 in May 2021. That is a rise of 294.7%. The number of new vans sold in the 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes category in May 2020 amounted to 5,412 whereas in May 2021 the figure was 19,687. That is a rise of 263.8%.

The top 5 selling new vans in the UK in May 2021 were: 

1. Ford Transit Custom 4,065
2. Ford Transit 2,401
3. Volkswagen Transporter 1,872
4. Vauxhall Vivaro 1,801
5. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1,597

On a year to date basis to May 2021, the number of new vans sold here in the UK in the up to 3.5 tonnes category amounted to 157,150 whereas for the same period to May 2020 the figure was 78,835. That is a difference of 78,315 with this equating to a rise of 99.3%.

The top 5 selling new vans in the UK on a year to date basis to May 2021 were:

1. Ford Transit Custom 22,963
2. Ford Transit 14,636
3. Volkswagen Transporter 9,909
4. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 9,746
5. Ford Ranger 8,054

Motor traders will be hoping that there continues to be an increase in the number of new vans sold in the coming months. This will no doubt lead to an increase in the number of used vans exchanging hands. It should also result in increased business for other sectors within the motor trade industry such as the servicing of vehicles and spare parts businesses.