Some 43,103 heavy trucks were registered on UK roads in 2018, almost two thousand fewer than in 2017, according to full year figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Registrations of rigid trucks declined by 6.7 per cent, driven by a double-digit fall for trucks between 6-16 tonnes, and a 3.8 per cent drop in demand for trucks over 16 tonnes.
The market for articulated heavy trucks declined 1.1 per cent, as 19,287 models joined UK roads, while 2-axle artics saw a 2.4 per cent boost in popularity.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Despite the natural fluctuation in fleet buying cycles, the second consecutive annual fall in new HGV registrations is a significant concern. Business confidence is absolutely critical if companies are to invest in the latest, low-emission trucks in 2019, and with on-going political and economic uncertainty and fewer than 50 days until we leave the European Union, we need stability now more than ever.”
Registrations 2018 Change ( per cent)
DAF 11,737 -11.8
Mercedes 7,232 -5.3
Scania 6,877 -1.6
Volvo 5,970 2.6
Man 3,785 12.8
Iveco 3,066 -11.8
Renault 2,050 -0.7
Total 43,103 -4.3
Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
