Van registrations fell 4.3 per cent in February ahead of the March plate change, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Registration in the 2-2.5 tonne sector were up nine per cent to 2,156 units, but this was offset by a 1.3 per cent fall in the 2.5-3.5 tonne sector to 8,753 units. The biggest drop was in the car-derived van sector (under 2 tonnes) which was down 28.5 per cent.
For the first two months of the year, the 2.5-3.5 tonne sector was up 2.7 per cent at 21,370 units.
SMMC chief executive Mike Hawes, said: “February is typically a quiet month as buyers look ahead to the March plate change and, following the rapidly growing levels of demand we’ve seen over the past two years, a decline is not unexpected. The sector remains in good health and, barring any shocks to business confidence, we expect demand to remain strong over the coming months.”
