Van dealers went through the grinder again in May with sales down -11.8% in May to 22,796 vehicles.
It was the worst May performance since 2022 and marked a sixth consecutive month of decline with businesses holding back on fleet renewals.
Demand shrank for new vans of all sizes, with the largest models down -14.0% to 14,652 units, while deliveries of medium sized vans fell by -9.2% to 4,065 units and the smallest vans by -7.8% to 673.
Only the new 4×4 segment saw growth, up 36.9% to 716 units. Pick-up sales fell by -12.7% to 2,690 following the Budget tax hike in April.
Sales of zero emission vans are way off government mandated targets. Electric vehicles accounted for just 7.6% of the overall market in May and 8.2% in the year to date, half the 16% share mandated for 2025.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Six months of declining new van demand reflects a tough economic environment and weak business confidence – and that won’t be helped by punitive taxes such as on double-cabs that will only restrict wider growth.” -12%