Some 24,766 vans joined British roads in July alone, according to new figures the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders.

While these figures give a view of a stabilising marketplace with year-to-date demand falling and the registration of pickups in decline, the new van market is still growing.

A growth of 1.1 per cent was reported nationally, but Tredegar-based light commercial vehicle specialist David Spear has reported its best month so far following the recent acquisition of a second site in Cardiff.

David Spear, of David Spear Commercials, said: "Pickups have experienced a longer than expected period of success. While registrations are down for this commercial vehicle type, the wider market has remained stable throughout July, a trend that is forecast to continue. Despite the 9.5 per cent decrease in pickup registrations – the first decline in 16 months - almost 30,000 have been registered so far this year. Medium sized vans, weighing between 2.0 and 2.5T, now take the crown as the biggest growth area;”

The medium-sized van segment has charted a 41.4 per cent rise in registrations, which marks another positive month for the new van market. In comparison to the same period in 2016 however, figures have decreased by 3.1 per cent overall, a fact that isn’t worrying dealers like David Spear.

As well as its expansion into Cardiff, David Spear’s headquarters in Tredegar has recently undergone development. Additions to its technical and customer facing teams also strengthen the firm’s offering.

David Spear said: “Despite Brexit and subsequent warnings from the Bank of England on consumer spending, the wider picture is a positive one. A little closer to home, growing demand has seen sales grow by more than 20 per cent year on year. We will continue to work closely with our customers, sourcing the right vehicles, offering them at a great value and keeping pace with overall demand."