Truck sales surge after Euro 4 slump

Truck registrations have recovered after last year's slump caused by the introduction of Euro 4 emissions legislation and digital tachographs, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

In April, truck sales were 30% ahead of last year's figure (at 5,113), while the year-to-date total was up by 40% year-on-year to stand at 19,959. The big winners were two and three-axle articulated trucks (up by more than 70% in the year), with rigid sales up by more than a quarter.

Sales of van and trucks below 6t grew at a more moderate rate, increasing by 2.1% and 2.7% respectively.

One black spot is the sales of what the SMMT describes as 'car-type pick-ups', which are 40% down in the year-to-date at 2,724.