The heavy goods vehicle market is down 7.8 per cent in the first half at 20,455 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which blames a fall follows a downturn in business confidence caused by on-going political and economic uncertainty and confusion surrounding clean air zones and local regulation.
Artics faired best, registrations of two-axle artics was flat at 720 units, while three-axle units were down 4.9 per cent at 7,816 units.
Rigids over 16 tonnes were down five per cent to 7,815 units while the six-16 tonne sector was down 18.2 per cent at 4,102,
The second quarter figures showed a bigger fall on last year that the first quarter. The overall fall in the second quarter was 9.4 per cent. Rigids were down 6.5 per cent while artics were down 13.2 per cent.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said, “While the fall in registrations follows strong demand in 2017, this quarter marks the fourth consecutive decline for the HGV market. On-going political and economic uncertainty, coupled with concern around a patchwork of different local authority clean air zones, has clearly had an impact. We need the right conditions to give operators confidence to invest in their fleets, ensuring this important market can continue to prosper.”
