CONTINUED strong demand for panel vans by home delivery fleets contributed to light commercial vehicles sales kicking-off 2001 in style. Year-on-year sector sales increased from 10,124 in January last year to 10,735 last month, according to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures.

Among the manufacturers reporting increases in sales in the sector were Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Iveco, LDV, Toyota and Volkswagen. There was also strong early demand for pick-up vans in the sub-1.8 tonne sector although the year-on-year increase was lower than in the larger van sector at 6,145.