It is interesting to read that there has been a slight increase in the number of new vans sold in the UK in January 2021 when compared with the same month last year according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

In January 2021 the number of new vans registered in the up to 3.5 tonnes category amounted to 24.029 whereas in January 2020 the figure was 23,557. That is an increase of 472 – a 2% increase. When you consider that we are still in the midst of the pandemic these figures may surprise some people. Obviously it is extremely good news for those people in the motor trade industry that are involved in the sale of new vans here in the UK as well as other areas of the industry.

The number of new pickups bought in the UK in January 2021 totalled 2,550 compared to 3.438 in the same month last year. That is a reduction of 25.8%.

The number of new 4 x 4s sold in the UK in January 2021 amounted to 93 compared to 134 in January 2020. That is a drop of 30.6%.

The number of new vans sold in the UK in January 2021 in the up to 2 tonnes category amounted to 1,231 compared to 2,465 in January 2020. That is a fall of 50.1%.

The number of new vans sold in the UK in January 2021 in the 2.0 tonnes to 2.5 tonnes category amounted to 3,659 compared to 4,366 in the same month last year. That is a drop of 16.2%.

The number of new vans sold in the UK in January 2021 in the 2.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes category amounted to 16,496 compared to 13,154 in January 2020. That is a big increase in numbers of 3,342 that equates to a rise of 25.4%.

The top 5 selling new vans in January 2021 were: –

1. Ford Transit Custom 2,711
2. Ford Transit 2,379
3. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1,931
4. Vauxhall Vivaro 1,415
5. Volkswagen Transporter 1,363

It would be great if we were to continue to see the number of new vans being sold here in the UK increase on a monthly basis. The more new vans sold may lead to a rise in the volume of second hand vans being sold as a number of van owners will no doubt place their used vans in part exchange for a new van or will sell their used van privately.