Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that November truck and van registrations were distorted by the change from Euro 3 to 4.

November registrations were up 2.7% to 31,730 and for the year-to-date, up 0.9%. The more reliable rolling year total was up 0.4% to 389,064.

‘November was another mixed bag for the UK’s new commercial vehicle registrations,’ said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. ‘Changes from Euro 3 to Euro 4 emission standards and the end of the Reduced Pollution Certificate scheme continued to distort heavy truck registrations. Medium and heavy vans and pick-ups saw another strong month as the 1 January 2007 deadline for new vans to meet Euro 4 emission standards approaches. Our system is starting to capture emissions data and early indications already show some 1,900 trucks and 59,000 vans registered at Euro 4 or 5 this year.’