LCV VALUES DEFY POOR CONDITIONS

AN INCREASE in demand for four-wheel drive light commercial vehicles saw LCV values rise during December 2010, according to new figures from British Car Auctions.

After reaching a low-point in November, the cold weather inspired a £37, or 0.9 per cent, rise in average LCV values to £4,067.

Values were also boosted by a 25 per cent decline in the number of vehicles that came to auction during the month.

Despite the average increase, fleet values fell by 2.9 per cent and year-on-year figures were behind by £119, or 2.5 per cent, for the first time since June 2009.

“Market conditions were tough at the end of the year, with a combination of poor stock mix and inclement weather resulting in some price pressure across the board,” said Duncan Ward BCA’s General Manager – Commercial Vehicles.

“Happily the snow and attendant travel chaos has abated since the earliest days of January and buyers have been very active in the early days of the year. January generally brings an uplift in activity, and this is typically sustained until the Easter period – which usually represents a watershed in demand. However, the late winter and early spring months could see some significant increases in available volumes, which means average values could come under pressure again.”

By By Press Association