Sales of new trucks record their lowest January total since 2011.
Commercial vehicle sales have been unable to sustain the momentum built up last year.
At 1,584, it was the fewest number of units sold in January in five years, though still a long way off 2011’s 1,317, Truck Industry Council T-Mark figures show.
With its strong position in the bouyant lighter trucks sector, market leader Isuzu continues to defy gravity with 433 units its best January since 2013’s 523.
All other major makes were either slightly up or slightly down the previous January.
Heavy-duty truck numbers are still bearing the brunt of the downturn.
Last month’s 438 total was only marginally better than 2011’s 424 after a four year run above 500 and around half or less than the last two months of last year.
Observers must hark back to 2010 to see Kenworth numbers in double figures – at 93, just one more than that year’s January total of 92.
Isuzu’s heavy-duty push hit something of a speed bump, both month on month and January on January, but what it lost there, it more than made up in lighter trucks.
The medium-duty market was better, with an increase on the last two years to 350.
Light-duty sales were up 21 units on the previous January to 470.
If there was a surprise result, Renault vans was it, knocking Mercedes-Benz off its perch at the top and holding its 115 unit level from December.