Heavy truck market strong in January registrations

Last year’s strong growth in the UK truck market has continued into 2012, with January registrations of new trucks six tonnes GVW and over up by 49% on the same month last year.

But the data, from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), shows that the commercial vehicle market is patchy. Registrations of new vans, from car-derived models to 3.5 tonners, have faltered, down by 16%, following news that the economy had shrunk in the final quarter of last year and likely to slow again in the first quarter of 2012.

Most of the growth in the truck market is coming from rigid chassis, which lagged behind the booming tractor unit sector last year. They finally are showing signs of a strong upturn, with registration of rigid chassis with gross weights of over 6 tonnes up by 110% in January. In contrast, the surge in the tractor units seems to be slowing, with registrations up by just 6%.

“The commercial vehicle market got off to a mixed start in January,” comments SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. “Over the course of 2012 SMMT expects the CV market to be steady, ending the year marginally up on 2011. Government support for business will be key to maintaining market stability. If confidence can be maintained through the year, we should see growth in 2013.”