In the U.S., pickup trucks have long dominated the market, whether that be the commercial or retail sides of the business. However, in Europe and the UK, fleets gravitate more toward vans, and in that regard, Ford has long topped the sales charts with more than one model. Despite this, the Ford Ranger continues to rank among the best-selling light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in the UK, specifically, and that was once again the case in October 2024, too.
In September the Ford Ranger ranked first in pickup sales and third in overall LCV sales, though it did slip a bit in October, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT). Last month, the Ford Ranger retained its title as the best-selling pickup in the UK with 1,407 sales, but that was only good enough for fifth place on the overall LCV charts. Regardless, the Ranger is still the top-selling pickup and third best-selling LCV overall year-to-date, behind only the first-place Ford Transit Custom and second-place Ford Transit, making this a clean podium sweep for The Blue Oval.
As for the overall LCV market, its sales increased by 2.4 percent month-over-month to 26,974 units, its best October result in three years, as well as the third consecutive month of total market growth. That uptick was fueled by small and medium vans, which were up 55.9 percent and 49.6 percent to 683 and 5,688 units, respectively, while large vans were down 2.7 percent to 17,683 units, and pickups and 4x4s also declined, by 18.9 percent and 62 percent to 2,686 and 234 units, respectively. All-electric van sales rose for the first time in five months as well, by 61.8 percent to 2,263 units.
“The continued growth in demand for new vans is encouraging given this sector is a barometer of the health of Britain’s businesses,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “Industry has invested huge sums delivering cutting-edge technology, including zero emission vehicles, but low demand raises serious doubt over the ability of the UK to achieve its ambitious green targets. There must be an urgent review of the market, regulation and support in place, else the cost will soon be felt in reduced UK investment, economic growth, jobs and decarbonization.”
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