September is one of the biggest months in the car world, but it’s also very popular in the van world.
While economic uncertainty and regulatory changes meant that the market fell by 23.5 per cent in September, there is still positive news if you look to the rest of the year, with new van registrations up 4.5 per cent for the first nine months of 2019.
Here’s what the 10 most popular vans were in September this year.
1. Ford Transit Custom
Just like the Ford Fiesta excels in the car world, the American firm’s Transit Custom is phenomenally popular in the van market.
In September, twice as many Transit Customs were sold next to the second most popular van (5,653 units), which is tremendous for Ford. The Custom’s huge range of options gives customers plenty of choice – from the entry-level Leader through to the great-looking Sport model. The range is also being bolstered with the introduction of a plug-in hybrid – a first for the van world.
2. Vauxhall Vivaro
The Vivaro is one of very few vans still produced in the UK, so it’s fantastic to see that buyers are plugging the UK industry by making it Britain’s second most popular van – with 2,827 units registered last month.
The Luton-built model has also benefited recently from Vauxhall’s partnership with Peugeot and Citroen, with an all-new Vivaro arriving in showrooms in July. An all-electric version of the Vivaro is being launched in 2020 as well.
3. Ford Ranger
Another area where Ford has a clear lead over its rivals is in the world of pick-ups, with the Ranger being the most popular option in its sector by a clear margin last month. Ford registered 2,377 Rangers in September, and it was the only pick-up to make the top 10
Ford enhanced the model in the middle of year with more efficient EcoBlue diesel engines, as well as more advanced safety and connectivity kit – each adding to the model’s sales success.
4. Peugeot Partner
Peugeot’s smallest Partner Van is an ideal small commercial vehicle for a whole variety of businesses, and it just missed out on a podium position in September.
The French firm registered 2,350 Partners last month – outselling both the Citroen Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo that it shares its underpinnings with. Peugeot has also recently announced a new Crew cab version, too, which adds extra practicality thanks to a second row of seats.
5. Ford Transit Connect
The Connect is the second Ford Transit to appear on this list, with this smaller version still proving to be very popular Ford, with 2,304 being put onto the roads last month.
A new Transit Connect went on sale towards the end of 2018, and benefitted from more efficient powertrains, as well as the stylish Transit Connect Sport, which adds a dose of flair into the van market.
6. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Sprinter is one of the best-regarded vans on sale today, and while in sixth position in September, it’s actually the third most popular van so far in 2019.
Mercedes-Benz registered 2,095 examples of its largest Sprinter in September, with this van proving to be especially popular with the courier and rental market.
7. Vauxhall Combo
There are plenty of vans on sale at the minute that have only been introduced recently, and the latest version of Vauxhall’s smallest Combo arrived in showrooms in December.
The new model benefits from underpinnings from the PSA Group (Peugeot and Citroen), with this bringing large improvements when it comes to on-board tech and efficiency. Vauxhall registered 2,093 versions of the Combo last month.
8. Citroen Berlingo
The Berlingo proves the effectiveness of this PSA tie-up by being the third van to sit within the top 10 to be built on the same platform – sharing it with the Vauxhall Combo and Peugeot Partner.
In September, 2,064 examples of the Berlingo were registered, while the introduction of a more practical Crew Cab version of this Citroen model will only broaden this van’s appeal further.
9. Ford Transit
Throughout 2019 so far, the headline Ford Transit is the second most popular van in the UK. But a model changeover has harmed sales in September, with the Transit sliding down to ninth position, as Ford only registered 1,939 versions last month.
The latest version introduces a host of changes – including a revised look, more driver assistance tech and EcoBlue diesel engines that are far more efficient. All these factors should help the Transit to climb back up the charts next month.
10. Volkswagen Transporter
Rounding off the top 10 in September is Volkswagen’s desirable mid-size Transporter. This is actually the fourth most popular van this year, though it’s another model that has been hit by a model changeover.
Volkswagen still registered 1,744 Transporter units, but expect it to rise back up the charts in October thanks to its stylish new look, improved equipment levels and connectivity.
