You may be interested to read that, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the number of new vans registered here in the UK in September 2020 increased in comparison to the same month last year. This is welcome news especially when you consider that we are currently in the middle of a pandemic due to coronavirus.

In September 2020, the number of new vans sold in the up to 3.5 tonnes category amounted to 52,096 compared to 41,216 in September 2019. This is a very big rise of 10,880 equating to an increase of 26.4%.

On a year to date basis to September 2020, the number of new vans registered in the up to 3.5 tonnes category amounted to 208,080 whereas for the same period to last year the figure was 286,616. This is a large fall of 78,536 with this equating to a reduction of 27.4%. A major factor as to why this has happened is probably due to the pandemic.

Looking at the figures in a little more detail for the month of September it is pleasing to see that the number of new pickups sold rose by 10.9% when comparing last year with this year. New 4x4s sold rose by 30.7%. New van sales in the below 2 tonnes category dropped by 2.5%. New van sales in the 2 to 2.5 tonnes category rose by 11.6%. New van sales in the 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes category rose by 40.9%.

It is pleasing to see that, despite the pandemic, no doubt a number of business owners have decided to invest in a new van in September 2020. It is to be hoped that this pattern continues in the coming months and it will be interesting to see if the reduction in the sale of new vans on a year to date basis can be overturned into a positive figure come the year end. We will keep you up to date.