The new van market continued to outperform the car sector in October with year-on-year sales up 22.4 per cent to 18,147 units.
This provided a further boost to year-to-date sales which are tracking at 18.7 per cent ahead of last year on sales of 186,701. New van sales fell by 35.6 per cent in 2009.
All major brands are seeing year-to-date growth apart from Nissan, down 6.4 per cent, and Iveco, down 5.2 per cent.
“The sustained increase in commercial vehicle registrations provides confirmation that the economy is continuing to recover,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.
“Vans continue to lead the recovery, with volumes up for the ninth successive month. We expect next year will be tough but with slow, steady growth improving confidence and demand.”
The new car market fell by 22.2 per cent in October.
