Commercial vehicle sales in the UK rose by an impressive 30.9% in April and rose overall by 11.8% compared to last year’s year-to-date figures. The term ‘commercial vehicles’ means vans and trucks, of which 24,370 were sold across the country in April.

But looked at separately, van registrations showed the real improvement, rising by 43% month-on-month to 20,751 units, with a year-to-date growth figure of 17.6%.

Trucks, however, fared less well, dropping by 12.1% month-on-month to just 3,619. As regards the year so far, sales have fallen by 15.5%.

Nigel Base, the Commercial Vehicle Manager of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said of the news: “A lift in van demand is contributing to growth across the overall market, but truck registrations continue to decline. This could be symptomatic of operators holding-off on buying vehicles in anticipation of new Euro 6 legislation coming into play later this year as well as wider economic challenges impacting the road transport sector.”

The number of new vans and trucks being purchased is seen by some as a barometer of the economy’s health. Aside from the Euro 6 issue (whereby CV buyers wish to wait and ensure any new purchase meets the new legislation), lower sales may suggest companies are waiting for business to improve before making large investments in new vehicles.

It may also signal that they are not seeing the growth needed to legitimise expansion.  Fuel costs, regular insurance, breakdown insurance and additional EU legislation can make buying a new vehicle