Record number of new vans sold in the UK

The number of vans on UK roads has reached a record high, with numbers passing the four million mark for the first time according to new figures released.

According to Motorparc figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a total of 4,007,331 vans are in use on UK roads, a 4.3% rise since the previous year.

Registrations for new vans increased by 1.2% in the first three months of this year, which followed the buoyant figures seen in 2015 with 37,000 units registered. Continued business confidence and a sustained rate of demand for online deliveries have been fundamental to the increasing growth, with vans now responsible for 45Bn miles travelled across the UK each year.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Commercial vehicles have never been more important to the British economy, transporting vital goods and services using the latest low emission technology. The CV Show will demonstrate the huge progress that the whole industry continues to make, with a wealth of new products on display from manufacturers, suppliers, aftermarket companies and service providers.”

There are expected to be a record number of new models of vehicles on show at this year’s CV Show taking place at Birmingham’s NEC as manufacturers attempt to keep up with the increased demands for van and pickups throughout Europe.

The number of new products being unveiled and the record number of units sold underline the importance of the sector to the UK economy, The commercial vehicle sector contributes £11Bn per year with commercial vehicles accounting for 61Bn miles each year in the UK.

All van registered from September onwards will need to meet the new Euro-6 emissions guidelines. These vehicles include advanced filters, which capture 99% of soot particulates, and exhaust after-treatments to significantly cut emissions of nitrogen oxides.

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