The latest data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) shows a healthy increase in the number of new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) being registered in Ireland. Figures from May 2021 reveal that a total of 2,316 new LCVs were registered, compared to 500 in the May of 2020. A more useful comparison would be to look at the pre-pandemic May 2019 date, which saw 1,717 new units registered.
Strong performance from Ford this year
From the start of 2021 up until the end of May, 16,040 light commercial vehicles were registered. This figure is an increase of 10.1 per cent over the same period in 2019. Topping the new registration figures so far this year is the Ford Transit Custom, with 1,353 units. Following that is the Peugeot Partner (1,296 units), Ford Transit (1,073 units), Volkswagen T6 (858 units) and the Renault Trafic rounding off the top five with 846 units.
That strong showing from Ford leaves it with a current market share of 24.7 per cent and well ahead of Volkswagen at 12.9 per cent. Renault remains the third most-registered brand in Ireland’s LCV segment with an 11.5 per cent share.
With businesses looking to switch to more environmentally conscious transport, electric vans continue to grow in popularity, helped in part by several fleet deals. A total of 412 electric LCVs have been registered so far this year, an increase of 449 per cent over the same period in 2020.
Commenting on the latest registration figures, Brian Cooke, SIMI’s Director General, said:
“The increase in light commercial vehicles this year has been largely coming from company sales, with van units accounting for 14,341 new vehicles in 2021, an increase not just over last year but also when compared to pre-COVID 2019 (13,182).
“We suspect this is largely down to businesses now being in a position to look forward instead of looking back; the gradual re-opening of businesses and society over the last couple of months has created a more positive outlook for the economy, while the ability of non-essential retailers to offer a ‘click and deliver’ service since the start of the year has also encouraged van sales.
“Other vehicle body types like pick-up, crew cab, tipper and drop-side lorry have also seen growth in their unit registrations, which would indicate investment in the construction sector. Diesel remains the dominating engine type with 96.84 per cent (15,533 units) of the market share year to date. However, electric has gained from 0.53 per cent (77 units) in 2019 to 2.57 per cent (412 units) in 2021.”