September figures show fall in new van and car registrations

According to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the UK’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market declined by -23.5% last month.

Registrations of small and medium vans were up, but larger vans, pickups and 4x4s are all down. 41,216 LCVs were registered in September, down 12,632 units year-on-year.

Overall performance for LCV registrations for the year to date is healthy, up 4.5% year-on-year. September’s losses follow a period of sustained growth, with LCV registrations rising in every month of 2019 to August.

The UK car market saw modest year-on-year growth in September, up 1.3%, against an overall annual decline, down -2.5% compared to this time last year.

September’s volumes were driven by the fleet sector, which grew 8.6%. Whilst private demand remained stable, up 0.1%, business registrations declined by -44.8%.

Diesel registrations fell -20.3%, as petrol vehicles experienced a moderate increase of 4.5%. Battery electric cars (BEVs), saw the biggest percentage growth of all fuel types, up 236.4% (5,414 units) as new models boosted registrations.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also saw growth for the first time in six months – albeit on the back of a -22.3% decline in the same month last year.

More information available on the SMMT website.

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