Figures reported by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirm 11,771 units were registered in the second quarter of 2017, a rise of 6.3% compared to the same period last year.
Coupled with registrations in the first quarter, which were up 3.6%, there has been a total of 22,177 HGV registrations, which represents the strongest half year performance of the market since 2008.
Of these registrations, heavy trucks saw the best performance, with artic vehicles featuring three or more axles rising 11.6%. At the other end of the size scale, lighter 6.0-16t rigid vehicles also saw significant growth – up 8.6%.
Demand for rigid vehicles upward of 16t and 2 axle artic vehicles declined, with falls of -4.4% and -15.0%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“Commercial vehicles are critical to keeping our country moving, and with all new trucks featuring low emission Euro VI diesel technology and some of the latest safety and autonomous features, it’s great to see more of them joining British roads. However, while manufacturers have benefited from an increase in orders in this particular quarter, given the varying nature of fleet renewal in the sector, it is vital that government works to maintain the conditions that will give operators confidence to invest.”
