Truck sales bounced back strongly in December, with registrations of trucks over six tonnes up 76 per cent on 2009.
However, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that the upturn came too late to stop the whole-year figures showing a 1.25 per cent decline on 2009.
The total market for commercial vehicles over six tonnes for 2010 was 27,588.
DAF took sector leadership for the year with a share of 23.75 per cent followed by Mercedes then Scania and Volvo.
The van market was up 19.6 per cent for the year at 222,915 while the light truck sector (3.5-6t) was up 0.9 per cent at 6,870.
Ray Ashworth, managing director of DAF trucks, said: “In overall terms the UK truck market in 2010 was similar in total volume to that of 2009, but the shape of it is very different, with a strong rising trend towards the end of the year in contrast to the decline of 2009. Indeed, over the past four months of 2010, the market over six tonnes GVW would indicate a running level equivalent to an annualised volume of approx 33,000.”
We still face many challenges, not least the pressures on public spending and the industry environment will remain tough for some time, but we ended 2010 with much improved momentum and I believe
Ashworth expects the coming year to show further slow recovery. “The lead up to Euro 6 in 2013 and the London LEZ changes in 2012 will provide some impetus to a fragile market growth, such that we believe the out-turn for 2011 will be 32-34,000 units.”
