UK demand for new vans fall for fourth consecutive month
The latest SMMT sales figures for March show UK registrations of new Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) fell by 3.2%, with 51,221 vans, 4x4s, and pickups registered.
This marks the fourth consecutive monthly decline in the new LCV market, as weak business confidence continues to hold back investment.
Lower volumes were driven by a 10% drop in registrations of the largest vans, down to 32,025 units. Despite this, they remain the most popular segment, accounting for 62.5% of the overall market.
Deliveries of medium-sized vans and 4x4s also declined, falling by 8.5% and 18.9% to 8,180 units and 1,324 units respectively.
Leasing companies attribute the fall to the significantly higher cost of new vans compared to the vehicles they replace, and to businesses taking a cautious investment approach amid ongoing economic uncertainty. Rising employer National Insurance contributions have also added inflationary pressure. As a result, many customers are holding onto vans longer and ‘rightsizing’ their fleets to avoid costly, underutilised assets.
Electric van uptake remains minimal, according to leasing executives, who now expect the LCV sector to fall further behind the levels required by the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate.
Demand for smaller vans continued to rise for the 13th consecutive month, up 60.8% to 1,585 units, now representing 3.1% of the market.
Registrations of new pickups surged by 40.6% in March 2025, with 8,107 new models hitting UK roads, as businesses moved to invest ahead of upcoming changes that will classify double-cabs as cars for benefit-in-kind and capital allowance purposes.
Additionally, demand for new battery electric vans (BEVs) weighing up to 4.25 tonnes grew for the sixth consecutive month, up 40.3%.