If you're the type of van buyer that likes to study the vehicle market to find out what others are buying to guide your own purchases, then we’ve got the stats for you. The 2020 truck sales figures from the official reporting agency have been released and they include the results and rankings for sales in the light duty van category.
2020 was an interesting year to say the least but particularly so in the delivery sector. With the shift to online shopping and home delivered goods due to coronavirus lockdowns, a massive uptick in sales for delivery vehicles especially light commercial vans may have been expected. There were reports of many small businesses taking on doing their own deliveries by expanding their services to offer customers direct ordering and home delivery and a small van would likely be the ideal vehicle for many SMEs.
But the shift in consumer buying habits has not really played out in sales of new vans. At least in regard to business buying new vans to cope with an increase in sales and demand for deliveries, the sales figures for the year don’t seem to reflect the changing trend in shopping. That also extends to the IAWO combined with cheap lending rates which would have been expected to drive sales.
Truck industry spokespeople have said they would expect it would take a few months after the federal budget measures announced in October for sales to respond. So hopefully, when sales for the first few months of 2021 are released the sector will be showing more positive sales figures.
While consumer confidence is on the rise, the ongoing coronavirus situation with continually changing border restrictions, snap lockdowns and a degree of uncertainty caused by these factors could have an impact also.
So what did happen? Let’s analyse the figures.
2020 Light Duty Sales
The figures reported only relate to new vehicles and don’t include sales of used vehicles. Overall for the entire year the total sales in the light duty van category were down 1.2% compared with 2019. But it could have been worse except for a massive 15.5% increase in sales in December compared with December 2019 figures.
Analysis of the rankings of which brand sold the most also reveals some interesting movements. While Mercedes-Benz topped the list in total vehicles sold, it suffered a 22% drop compared with 2019 figures. Renault’s Master came in second and saw an increase of 9.8% overall sales increase compared with the previous year.
But the third place getter can effectively claim the best result. That was Volkswagen with its recently released Crafter model clearly striking a chord with buyers. While total sales units were only 1170 compared with Merc’s 2163, the 1170 represents a 51% increase over 2019 figures.
Also posting significant percentage increase growth was the category stalwart, the Ford Transit in fourth ranking place but with a 23% increase over the prior year. This may have been due to the updating the model received for 2020. Fiat and Iveco round out the top 6 rankings, both with decreases in percentage sales but this is off quite modest numbers. Fiat dropping from 444 to 318 units sold and Iveco from 338 to 298.
So there’s the stats and the ranking for you to ponder when considering which light commercial van to invest in for 2021. Let’s go one step further and see what models these brands have for you to compare.
Van Models to Compare
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Panel Van is available in short, medium, long and extra-long wheelbases and has standard, high and super-high roof heights as well. Plenty of ways to customise a Sprinter to your business application.
- Renault Master sold well in 2020 and with 4 wheelbase options, auto, manual and FWD transmission choices and generous cargo space, this could be worth considering.
- Volkswagen Crafter recorded the biggest percentage increase in sales and on that basis alone is surely worth a look-see and test drive. The Crafter is available in medium, long and extra-long wheelbase options. But for businesses after a smaller van, check out the Caddy while at the dealership. Don’t forget to go prepared with a Jade pre-approved finance deal so you can order on the spot.
- Ford Transit Van is iconic and probably requires little fanfare as it does and has done it all. But after all the time it has been on the market it is still growing its market.
- Fiat Professional Ducato claims to have a class-leading payload so if space is high on your buying criteria, take a look.
- IVECO have the new Daily E6 van which no doubt they will be hoping appeals to buyers in 2021. It has a lot to offer and from one of the leading truck manufacturers, so don’t discount, but add IVECO to your list of possibles.
Comparison Tools
Jade makes it easy to compare van makes and models and compare business car finance. Use our loan calculator to compare repayments across the contenders. When it comes to finance products, compare interest rates across our loan portfolio.
Or make it easy on yourself and just call Jade Car Loans and let one of our consultants source you quotes on the vehicles you’re interested in purchasing.
To discuss finance on a best-selling van, contact Jade Car Loans at 1300 000 003
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE IS PREPARED AND POSTED WITH THE INTENTION OF PROVIDING GENERAL INFORMATION AND NOT WITH THE INTENTION THAT IT BE THE ONLY SOURCE OF INFORMATIONON WHICH TO MAKE FINANCIAL DECISIONS. THOSE REQUIRING FINANCIAL ADVICE AROUND THEIR INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS SHOULD REFER TO A FINANCIAL ADVISOR. NO LIABILITY IS ACCEPT FOR ANY MISREPRESENTATIONS OR ERRORS IN THE CONTACT AS SOURCED, IN GOOD FAITH, FROM A RANGE OF SOURCES.
