Commercial vehicle registrations (GVM of 4.5 tonnes-plus) continue to gain momentum with record numbers achieved during March.

The previous best-ever figure for a month of March had been of 511 registrations (March 2022). An impressive 652 registrations during March 2023 easily eclipses the previous record. 

This record total monthly figure also lifts the YTD total to 1528 units, the strongest first-quarter performance on record. The monthly total of 652 represents an increase of 27.6% over March 2022 while YTD the market is now 16.9% up on the previous record of 1306 units set in March 2022.

The trailer market is also moving back towards pre-Covid registration numbers. The best-ever month of March remains 2018 with 161 registrations and the March numbers for this year almost match that with 158 registrations. However, YTD trailer registrations of 352 units is still 8.3% down on the 2018 record of 384.

Isuzu enjoyed a good month to move ahead of Fuso in a tight 2023 sales race. Isuzu leads the 2023 market with 155 registrations in March and 316 YTD. Fuso currently has 310 YTD registrations after registering 127 new units in March. Hino also continues its strong start to the year with 87 registrations for the month (209 YTD). 

Behind Isuzu, Fuso and Hino in the 4.5t to maximum GVM truck market, the March figures show Scania (150/58) holding fourth position, well ahead of Volvo (89/29) and Kenworth (81/25).

Strong March sales moves UD (73/39) ahead of Iveco (72/34) and DAF (64/25) while Mercedes-Benz (58/27), and Kenworth (42/13) complete the top-10.

In the 3.5-4.5t crossover segment, Fiat (53/11) remains the outright leader ahead of Ford (41/15), Mercedes-Benz (37/9), Iveco (23/12), and RAM (18/7). 

In the 4.5-7.5t market segment Isuzu (145/60) enjoys a clear lead ahead of Isuzu (87/48), Iveco (47/23), Hino (38/11), and Hyundai (16/6).

Isuzu (73/38) also leads the 7.5-15t segment, well ahead of Hino (58/26), Fuso (42/15), Foton (24/10), and Iveco (12/4).

In the small 15-20.5t category Hino (21/9) is the leader ahead of UD (15/9), FUSO (13/3), and Mercedes-Benz (7/4).

Only two March registrations in the 20.5-23t segment sees for Hino (5/1) leading from Isuzu (2/1).

Scania’s impressive 56 registrations for the month consolidates its top spot in the premium 23t to maximum GVM category to lead with 144 registrations YTD.

Fuso (90/33) holds second ahead of Hino (87/40) moving up to third ahead of Volvo (85/29). Isuzu (76/42) climbs into fifth at the expense of DAF (60/25) while UD (57/30) moves ahead of Kenworth (42/13) and Mercedes-Benz (34/16) edges ahead of MAN (33/8) rounding out the top-10. 

There is no change at the top of the trailer market with Fruehauf (44/20) extending its lead ahead over Patchell (35/15). 

Next is Transport Trailers (28/11), Roadmaster (27/14), TMC (24/12), Domett (20/9), and M.T.E (17/6). Transfleet (11/6) moved ahead of TES (10/2) and TIDD (8/2) and Fairfax (8/3) tied in tenth position to round out the first quarter of 2023.