The weak demand for commercial vehicles continued in July, with total truck and van registrations slipping by 38% compared with the same month in 2008, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Registrations for 2009 were also down nearly 44% in comparison with the first seven months of last year, to only 126,908 vehicles.
Trucks suffered again with a 43% decline in
sales, while the van segment didn't perform much better – falling 37% overall.
Paul Everitt, chief executive of the SMMT, says: "July saw both van and truck registrations fall some 40% against July 2008 as firms continue to avoid buying new vehicles. But with truck-makers and their dealers holding some stocks and the euro still weak against the pound, there has seldom been a better time to do a good deal, especially with the 59 plate due in September."
Everitt believes that truck prices will rise sharply in the near future, particularly new-build models, but says that the number of truck registrations won't increase until the 59 plate is introduced.
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