Page 33 - Commercial Vehicle Engineer - June 2021

While 2020 was a year like no other for the commercial vehicle market,
2021 has seen a return to something approaching ‘normal’ service, as lockdowns imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to ease.
With the resulting rise in economic activity, it means haulage operators and van operators are back on the road in greater numbers, creating more demand among some to expand their fleet. In addition, operators that had put off fleet renewals last year are now starting to put orders through.
This can be seen in figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which showed that
HGV registrations were up by 9.5% in the first three months of 2021 compared to 2020, but were still significantly down on 2019 levels.
SMMT figures showed that 10,064 units registered in the first quarter of the year, although last year’s figures were particularly weak due to the
first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic being announced in March, allied to fluctuations in the fleet renewal cycle. Registrations for 2021 were 15% down on levels for the first three months of 2019.
Artics have recorded the biggest increase in demand so far this year, with registrations up 25.3% to 4,528 vehicles, while the rigid market decreased by 0.8% to 5,536 units. Tractors remain the biggest segment, making up 44.3%
of the market, with 26.6% more units registered than in the first quarter of 2020. Tipper registrations also increased, up 10.8%.
Operator confidence appears to be returning most in England, where registrations were up by 11.6% to 8,816
in the first quarter. Registrations also improved markedly in Scotland, up
7.5% on 2020 levels. However, in Northern Ireland, registrations only increased by a fraction – 0.4% - while registrations in Wales plummeted by more than 25%. While Wales is a much smaller market than England or Scotland, the fall is significant. It could be down
to a slower move out of lockdown conditions affecting buying decisions, with fleet renewals being left until later in the year.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS
MAN sales are up, thanks to its new range of trucks launched in 2020
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2021 33