Forecasts for 2010 full year van sales and registrations have been increased by the SMMT following a better than anticipated first quarter.

The 7.7% increase in van registrations for the expected annual totals is a positive sign for industry, reflecting increased confidence and stability and a sustained level of consumer demand.

Largely unaffected by the scrappage incentive, van registrations are set to be about 8.6% up on 2009 reflecting greater business confidence.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said, "SMMT's latest forecasts reflect the better than expected results in the first quarter and improving consumer confidence. Sustaining the economic recovery and improving access to more and better priced finance for businesses and consumers should be the priority for any new government."

An example of this success was seen in Citroen vans April figures:-

Citroën's LCV sales sprang ahead 47.58% in April, enabling the company to gain a 9% share of the market.  Strong spring-time performance from Nemo, Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay models saw Citroën's April LCV sales reach a total of 1,340 units.

With Citroën's year to date (YTD) LCV sales up 22.61% at 6,013, the company has virtually doubled the total LCV market's YTD gain of 11.91%.

Charles Peugeot, Head of Commercial Vehicles and Business Sector comments, "Citroën has enjoyed both a strong April and 2010 YTD sales performance, and has significantly out-performed a fast-rising market.  This success has been achieved thanks to an outstanding range of products, highly attractive customer offers and consistent results across all of our LCV models." 

European Experience

Figures released by Acea, the European auto industry body, show 8.8% more new commercial vehicles registered in the EU last March than in the same month in 2009.  This is the first registration increase in almost two years.  Vans were up 12.4% to 160,980 units while heavy trucks, over 16 tonnes, were down 15.9% to 14,087 units.  For all freight vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, ie excluding buses and coaches, the total was 22,040 units, down 10.1%.  Of the most important markets, the UK recorded both the most vehicles and the highest year-on-year increase, at 28.0%.