The latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals that the commercial vehicle market for the first nine months of 2015 is 19 per cent on the corresponding figure recorded last year. 

Truck sales had the strongest growth with 35.6 per cent year-on-year, while vans were up 19.2 per cent. 

A total of 321,302 commercial vehicles have been registered in the year to date, an increase of two per cent on last year. 

Overall commercial vehicle demand grew strongly in September, with registrations up by one per cent on the month to 65,453 units. 

SMMT chief executive officer Mike Hawes welcomed the continued recovery of the market. 

"Particularly encouraging is the consistent growth seen this year in the traditionally more volatile truck sector, while the van market... shows no sign of slowing," he commented.