The economic downturn had a big impact on commercial vehicle sales last year, which were some 70% down on 2008. With the road haulage sector suffering particularly badly, figures from the SIMI show 1,103 HGVs were registered in 2009, compared to 3,634 in 2008.

The corresponding figures for Light Commercial Vehicles is 9,267 compared to 29,961 vans and smaller trucks in 2008.