Our 2021 update – key market trends and company news

We’re still fully open and trading throughout the current lockdown here at Van Discount, and still committed to helping you get the greatest prices on the best van deals as 2021 begins! Now, 2020 was a year characterised by dramatic and often sudden shifts in everything from the economy to public policy, which often made it tricky to keep up with vital information. So as we kick off a New Year, at Van Discount we thought it’d be helpful to give you a quick update on where we’re at… as well as a brief heads-up on some of the most notable industry trends at the moment.

We’re still the perfect people to get you the best deal on your new van

The start of 2021 has seen a huge influx of customer orders for us, largely due to changes that the third lockdown has brought to dealers and the wider automotive industry. The pandemic wrought huge disruption to automotive manufacturing throughout 2020, and now that’s resulted in a shortfall of newly manufactured vans to replenish dealers’ showroom stocks. Consequently, many are currently restricted to selling only what they already have on their forecourts.

All that means if you visit a dealership to buy your next new van, right now your options will probably be relatively limited. However, if you choose to buy a new van from us right here at Van Discount, you don’t have to worry about any of that. With the resources and contacts we have at our disposal, we can provide a huge range of choice between the best new vans for your company. What’s more, we can even get you up to 40% off the price of your van – a discount which can equate to thousands of pounds!

Current industry trends

Used van market remains notably buoyant

Limited availability and caution around select long-term finance deals are some of the most critical factors leading many customers to eschew buying new vans from dealerships, and start looking for used vans instead. That means if you’ve got one you’re looking to offload, there’s never been a better time to trade in your used van.

In fact, the current economic situation means that the demand for sub-£10,000 vans is actually exceeding supply – prices for certain models have risen by almost 60%, and in some cases the prices commanded by used vans have almost equalled those of their brand new counterparts. Builders, plumbers, electricians and couriers are just some of the professions which are presently on the lookout for the best used vans.

LGVs steadily pulling ahead of HGVs

One development we’ve been observing with particular interest here at Van Discount: increasing numbers of business owners are now switching from 7.5-tonne Heavy Goods Vehicles to smaller 3.5-tonne Light Goods Vehicles. Several factors are in play here: for starters, in many cases 3.5 tonne vans are simply the more economical choice. What they lose in cargo space they can make up for in running costs, as well as being a more practical option for deliveries in more built-up urban areas, where manoeuvring space is normally a lot tighter.

They can also simplify things from a human resources perspective – 3.5 tonne vans are easier to drive than 7.5 tonne HGVs, and requiring less specialist training and less stringent licence requirements. While HGVs have their own licence category entirely, 3.5 tonne vehicles can be driven by anyone with a regular car driving licence and a Category B entitlement. That means that they can be driven by a much greater number of employees, allowing the business to adapt more effectively to staff shortages or absences.

Obviously, due to the ongoing pandemic situation a degree of uncertainty remains as we head into 2021. Whatever happens though, you can count on us here at Van Discount to stay committed to helping you get the very best new van deals to explore, including commercial vehicles from the likes of Citroen, Renault, Vauxhall and Ford.

Best of all, we save buyers an average of 40% off a new van! With our in-house expertise and experience, we can even offer bespoke conversions for our customers. Call our van experts today on 01282 872 530 to see what we can do for you!