More Online Shopping More Vans!

The growth of online shopping boosts van sales by 22.3% in the first three months of 2015.

12:28 13 April 2015

Online shopping has helped boost van sales in the UK to a record high. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the sales of vans that are typically used for home delivery increased by 22.3per cent in the first three months of 2015. It added that 108,456 commercial vehicles were registered in the same quarter, which is 100,000 more when compared to the same period last year. 

 

Meanwhile, IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, has confirmed that online sales in the UK reached £103bn last year, creating a booming market for home delivery of orders. 

 

An SMMT spokesperson said: "Van registrations have risen consistently over the past two years, mainly as a result of steadily increasing business confidence and a range of attractive finance deals. The move towards online shopping and home deliveries is an important contributor to this growth - particularly that of large vans."

 

Ford accounted for more than a fifth of van sales followed by Vauxhall Vivaro with 7,449 sales and Volkswagen Transported in third place selling 5,765 units. 

 

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Commercial vehicles are crucial to the functioning of Britain's economy and these latest figures paint a very encouraging picture. As business confidence grows, demand for the latest vans and trucks is now back to pre-recession levels - outpacing the rest of Europe."