Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders on Thursday 7 January show last year's van and truck registrations down 36.2% to 221,132. The figure for December was down 20.6% to 16,131. Over the year, vans dropped 35.6% to 186,386 but were down 14.3% in December. Trucks were down 39.5% to 34,746 for the year and down 46.9% in December.
"Van demand dropped sharply in 2009 though eased at the year-end. Truck registrations dropped further and faster in the final months of the year," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. "Business demand and consumer confidence remains low and the effects of recession will be slow to clear in key parts of the commercial vehicle markets. It is essential that government helps sustain economic recovery by encouraging capital investment and more affordable finance.”