VAN sales fell in April, with registrations of vehicles under 1.8 tonnes down 16.1% year-on-year to 5,579 from 6,650 in April 1999, taking sales for the year fractionally below last year's four-month tally at 26,776 (1999: 27,045).

The sector between 1,801-3,500kg fared better, decreasing 4.6% to 11,547, from 12,108 in the same month last year, keeping sector sales ahead of last year's total at 50,758 (1999: 47,531).