The publisher estimates that the apparent market for commercial vehicles was worth some £4.34bn in 2005 up 7.8% on the 2004 market value of £4.03bn. The commercial vehicle market forms part of the motor industry and is an important part of the UK manufacturing sector.

The commercial vehicle market has three distinct sectors: light commercial vehicles (LCVs), heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and buses and coaches. LCVs are the largest sector of the market, though both UK production and new registrations fell back in 2005. By contrast, UK production and new registrations of both HGVs and buses and coaches increased again in 2005.

The UK motor industry has suffered a number of major blows over the past 2 years, including the collapse of MG Rover in 2005, the planned closure of the PSA Peugeot-Citroen plant at Ryton in 2007 and the reduction in the number of shifts worked at Vauxhall's plant at Ellesmere Port. The latest industry mega-merger to be discussed involves a possible tie-up between General Motors, and the Renault-Nissan alliance. If this was to materialise, the UK motor industry could face a further period of rationalisation.

The UK's trade deficit in commercial vehicles continues to rise steadily and in 2005 it reached a 5-year high. Imported vehicles now account for the overwhelming majority of new commercial vehicle registrations in the UK and further increases in their share of the market is anticipated. A large and growing percentage of the commercial vehicles manufactured in the UK are exported, with the key export markets being the EU and North America. As the majority of UK producers specifically target export markets, a further widening of the trade deficit is thought likely.

The commercial vehicle market is expected to show further expansion in 2006 in terms of both new registrations and market value. Although a little weakening in demand is then anticipated in 2007, growth thereafter, and up to 2010, is forecast to be stronger. Environmental and political pressures will increasingly affect the industry and influence the future design and development of commercial vehicles.

The publisher estimates that the apparent market for commercial vehicles was worth some £4.34bn in 2005 up 7.8% on the 2004 market value of £4.03bn. The commercial vehicle market forms part of the motor industry and is an important part of the UK manufacturing sector.

The commercial vehicle market has three distinct sectors: light commercial vehicles (LCVs), heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and buses and coaches. LCVs are the largest sector of the market, though both UK production and new registrations fell back in 2005. By contrast, UK production and new registrations of both HGVs and buses and coaches increased again in 2005.

The UK motor industry has suffered a number of major blows over the past 2 years, including the collapse of MG Rover in 2005, the planned closure of the PSA Peugeot-Citroen plant at Ryton in 2007 and the reduction in the number of shifts worked at Vauxhall's plant at Ellesmere Port. The latest industry mega-merger to be discussed involves a possible tie-up between General Motors, and the Renault-Nissan alliance. If this was to materialise, the UK motor industry could face a further period of rationalisation.

The UK's trade deficit in commercial vehicles continues to rise steadily and in 2005 it reached a 5-year high. Imported vehicles now account for the overwhelming majority of new commercial vehicle registrations in the UK and further increases in their share of the market is anticipated. A large and growing percentage of the commercial vehicles manufactured in the UK are exported, with the key export markets being the EU and North America. As the majority of UK producers specifically target export markets, a further widening of the trade deficit is thought likely.

The commercial vehicle market is expected to show further expansion in 2006 in terms of both new registrations and market value. Although a little weakening in demand is then anticipated in 2007, growth thereafter, and up to 2010, is forecast to be stronger. Environmental and political pressures will increasingly affect the industry and influence the future design and development of commercial vehicles.