UK HGV market up by a fifth
Rigids, such as this DAF Euro 6 Silent CF 290 FAN 6×2 rear-steer truck going into service with Martin Brower for McDonald’s, formed the bulk of the increase in registrations
The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders have revealed that the British HGV market grew by almost a fifth in the first quarter of 2016 – with more than 10,000 new vehicles over six tonnes registered.
Rigids were the driver of the growth, said SMMT, with a 48 per cent rise in the 16+ tonne category, more than making up for the small decline in registrations in the three-axle artic bracket.
Meanwhile, new PSV registrations, totalling just under 2,000, also saw steady growth, at two per cent in the first quarter. Demand for minibuses was the driving factor here, which grew more than 10 per cent, compared to small declines for single and double-deckers.
Mike Hawes, chief executive at the SMMT, said: “This is a positive start to the year for the heavy truck market, with demand having stabilised following the regulatory upheaval seen in 2014.
“Large rigids saw more moderate growth than at the end of 2015 – a sign that the sector is set for a continued, steady period of growth.”
On the PSV market he added: “Following significant increases in the bus and coach markets last year, it is pleasing to see a positive start to 2016.
“However, given the nature of variability in demand in these sectors and continued uncertainty surrounding policy areas such as the Bus Services Bill, prospects for continued growth throughout the year should be considered cautiously.”
“It is positive to see that demand for heavy trucks showed a strong and stable growth in the first quarter of 2016,” said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association.
“In addition to the overall increase of 19.2 per cent in the UK in Q1, it is extremely encouraging to see that HGV registrations experienced a massive growth of 40 per cent in Scotland, albeit this is a smaller market in terms of volume.
“The NFDA is pleased to see that truck dealers feel confident that the HGV market will stay strong throughout the remainder of 2016, in line with last year’s result.”
Detailed analysis of the SMMT figures will follow in Transport Operator’s July/August issue.
Meanwhile, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) reported that the European heavy truck market increased by 22.2 per cent in April, compared to the same month last year – including massive growth in Italy of 70.4 per cent. Spain, Germany and France also posted significant increases of between 18 and 32 per cent. Overall demand for new CVs in the EU increased for the sixteenth consecutive month.
