Big rise in van sales forecast
Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has raised forecast for van sales for the remainder of 2010, following a strong first quarter.
Forecasts for van markets are up by 8.6 per cent over 2009 levels, although 2009 was a particularly poor year for the sector.
Van sales were largely unaffected by the scrappage scheme last year too. SMMT says the rise reflects greater business confidence.
Meanwhile, SMMT has revised its forecast upwards for both cars and vans. It says it now believes both sectors will perform better than its January forecast.
Figures are up by 5.6 per cent for cars and 7.7 per cent for vans – and welcomes them as a 'positive sign for industry, reflecting increased confidence and stability and a sustained level of consumer demand'.
SMMT revises its forecasts on a quarterly basis with a panel of industry market analysts. The next forecast is due in July 2010.