The UK’s light-commercial vehicle (LCV) market experienced a decline in both the new and used sectors in August, with a silver lining of increased uptake of new electric vans. Andy Picton, a specialist residual value analyst at Glass’s, delved into the details of the data alongside Autovista24 web editor James Roberts.
August marked the ninth consecutive month of decline for new LCVs in the UK, with a 13.3% drop in demand. A total of 14,365 new vans, pickups, and chassis variants were registered, down by 2,210 units compared to the previous year. Year-to-date demand saw an 11.4% decrease to 193,846 units.
Across all LCV market sectors, demand shrank in August. Pickups experienced a 25.8% decline, while vans under 2 tonnes GVW and those weighing between 2 and 2.5 tonnes GVW dropped by 17.6% and 14%, respectively. The market for vans and chassis between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes GVW saw an 11.5% decrease in registrations.
Despite the overall decline, the market for battery-electric vans up to 4.25 tonnes GVW saw growth for the 11th consecutive month in August. A record 1,902 units were registered, more than double the number from the previous year. This surge in electric van registrations drove the market share of this powertrain to a record 13%.
In terms of market leaders, Ford dominated the UK LCV charts in August, with the Transit Custom and Transit taking the top two positions in registrations. Other popular models included the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Vauxhall Combo, and Vauxhall Vivaro.
The electric van market in August was led by Ford, with VW and Mercedes-Benz following closely behind. The Ford E-Transit Custom, VW.ID Buzz Cargo, and Mercedes-Benz e-Sprinter were among the top models by range.
Looking at the used LCV market, there was a significant drop in sales in August, with average prices decreasing and first-time conversion rates falling. The demand for older, more affordable vehicles remained strong, with buyers preferring quality stock over vehicles needing maintenance.
Sales of used electric vans also saw a decline in August, although the zero-emission powertrain increased its share of the overall auction market. Medium vans accounted for the majority of sales, with the large van sector commanding the highest average sales price.
Diesel models continued to dominate the used LCV listings, although the share of BEVs increased. Panel vans were the most popular type of LCV listed for sale, with white vans being the most common color choice.
Overall, the UK LCV market faced challenges in August, with declines in both new and used sectors. However, the growth in electric van registrations and the continued demand for quality used LCVs indicate potential opportunities for the market moving forward.
