Half-year van sales figures have shown a drop of 45% over the same period last year as manufacturers continue to suffer in the recession.

Already LDV has gone into administration, and every van maker has been hit by falling sales.

Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said: “We expect van registrations will stabilise at the end of the next quarter, but at the lowest levels since the early 1990s.

"Trucks could drop further in the fourth quarter after the Euro 5 emissions deadline passes in October.

"The commercial vehicle market continues to reflect the very difficult conditions facing business buyers, particularly those in the freight transport and construction sectors.”

Ford leads the table, although sales are down 42%, followed by Vauxhall (down 48%) and third comes Volkswagen (down 36).

Citroën is in fourth place (down 42%).