Data courtesy of the SMMT

The first six months of 2024 has been interesting as far as truck registrations are concerned. The first three months showed a downturn which was more or less reversed by some good growth in the rigids segment in the spring. Overall growth in Q2 was just 2.6% but this is against a strong performance in 2023. Rigid trucks were the real performers with 9.7% growth year on year with tractor units struggling to perform – they were down by -5.7%. All body types of rigid trucks showed improvement, with box vans (up 17.3%), curtainsiders (up 14.9%), tippers (up 11.4%) and refuse vehicles (up 14.1%) all showing good growth.

Electric Truck Registrations up 30%

Before we all get too excited, this percentage growth is from a very small base – the market share is up from 0.4% last year to 0.6% in Q2. This compares with market shares for electric vans at 4.7% and cars at 16.6%. According to the SMMT, “With just over a decade to go until the end of sale of non-ZEV HGVs weighing less than 26 tonnes, operators continue to face a grant system that is lengthy and covers fewer than half of all available models. Progress on the rollout of HGV-specific charging facilities also remains lacklustre. While more are expected to come online in the coming months,  the UK currently has just one dedicated truck public charging location. Reforming the grant, plus investment in infrastructure within a national plan, would provide more confidence to operators and encourage greater uptake.”

Which was the Best Selling Truck Brand in 2024 so Far?

It comes as little surprise that DAF remain runaway market leaders – they had led the UK market for decades. What is a surprise is how close Volvo Trucks have come to closing the gap. With DAF down 17.3% and Volvo up 15% the gap has gone from around 4,000 registrations to closer to 2,000 registrations difference. Other surprises came from MAN and Iveco with 41.6% and 19.9% growth respectively compared to the same time in 2023.

This success for MAN puts the company to within reach of Mercedes’ fourth position in the UK market share league table and comes on the back of nearly 18% growth in 2023. MAN may well be one to watch (especially if you are Mercedes-Benz!)

Our View

• Best selling truck brand: DAF
• Most improved Brand: MAN
• One to watch: Volvo Trucks