The latest figures show that May CV registrations were up 17.7% compared to the same month in 2010, with a total of 23,026 units. Van sales were up 17.3% while trucks were up 20.6%.

Year to date, the sector is up 27.1 compared to the first five months of 2010, with vans up 26.7% and trucks up 29.7%.

'May's van and truck registration totals showed sustained confidence in the commercial vehicle market,' said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. 'Heavy trucks, led by artics, again demonstrated the most robust growth in the month, with artics up strongly by 61%. Vans were up 17% in May and by 27% for the year-to-date, illustrating the ongoing resurgence in the market.'

Sue Robinson, director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association, commented: 'The strength in the van market is coming from the 2 to 3.5 ton market which is disguising the weaker van sales of under 2-ton vans. Smaller vans are often purchased by private and self-employed individuals who are experiencing the same lack of confidence in buying as the consumers in the car market.

'Heavy truck sales were up again with the biggest growth coming from 3 axle tractors at 60.9%. Unfortunately the rigid truck market is static with only half a percent increase year to date. A concern is that buyers of non HGV licence 7.5 ton trucks are down-sizing to 3.5 ton vans and trucks to avoid having to comply with "O" licence implications.'