The UK commercial vehicle sector experienced a 14.7% increase in 2013—the best performance in the last five years, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The van sector had its ups and downs during 2013, although overall tracked well ahead of the previous year. SMMT is confident of more growth for vans in 2014, boosted by a host of new products entering the market.
For trucks, a theme throughout 2013 was the end-of-year introduction of Euro 6 engines. Registrations began the year slowly, but rocketed in the second half of the year as late Euro 5 and early Euro 6 orders combined.
Nigel Base, SMMT Commercial Vehicle Manager, said it’s difficult at this stage to predict what will happen during this year, but with 2013 registrations passing 56,000 units, the HGV sector is in a much better place than it was 12 months ago.