Growth in CT market is led by lightweights
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• The growth of the UK commercial vehicle market continues, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The overall market grew 7.2% compared with March 1999, with the figures for the quarter up 7.3%. The biggest growth area was the medium/heavy van sector which improved 11.9% month-on-month.
There were mixed fortunes in the heavier categories. The 3.5-7.5-tonne rigid segment increased 26.5%, but two-axle rigids above 15 tonnes fell by 3.4%. In the tractive unit sector threeaxle units are still gaining in popularity, with 70% of the market. The Budget did nothing to reduce uncertainty in this area; on one hand, the VED benefits for 40-tonners may slow the increase, but on the other, the arrival of 44 tonnes
next year may stimulate it.
Of the main chassis manufacturers, only Daf, Seddon Atkinson and Renault VI failed to post improved figures.
In the 1.8-3.5-tonne sector, renewed awareness of the Transit has helped Ford to put on 9.5%. The greatest improvement in this sector, however, comes from Vauxhall, which has more than doubled its registrations, both month-on-month and year-to-date.
In the light van market, Vauxhall and Citroen are thriving at the expense of Ford and Renault (which looks in danger of losing its fourth spot to Peugeot if the trend continues).
The 4x4 utility sector fell 3.3%, but this is less than in recent months. The market showed its approval of Land Rover's new owner, Ford, with a 30% improvement on the previous March.