Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show UK van and truck registrations stable for the rolling year to date. Van registrations are up 1.8% as of the end of May, and truck registrations made only the second month of growth over the past 13 months.

Truck registrations are still 12% down on the average for the month of May from 1999 to 2005. "Despite slowing slightly in May, growth in total light commercial vehicle registrations is very healthy, up 1.8% for the rolling year," said Christopher Macgowan SMMT chief executive. "Truck figures still suffer from the market distortion of caused by last year's digital tachograph and Euro 4 introductions. Truck makers report good enquiries and orders, but it will be some time before they show as registrations. We're confident that we'll get back to an annual volume of 54,000, the average for the sector over the past decade."

Figures from the SMMT also show total bus and coach registrations down 20% for the year to May. Small minibus registrations continue their long-term slide, down at 33%, with big buses down 32% and coaches and down 27%. Big mini-buses, by contrast are up 15%.

"Last year's registration figures were deeply distorted by the introduction of digital tachographs and Euro 4 emissions. That still makes meaningful comparisons virtually impossible," said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. "Registration figures will continue poor for some months and in a sector of this size, the delivery or delay of an individual fleet order may often skew comparisons."

The May, YTD and rolling year figures by vehicle type and manufacturer can be downloaded from www.smmt.co.uk

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