JATO analysis of pick-up market
Pick-ups are part of the British light commercial vehicles (LCV) market as they are considered vehicles for work, writes Felipe Munoz of JATO Dynamics. In 2015 the LCV registrations totalled 371,830 units posting a growth of 15.6% over 2014 results and reaching a new record.
Following the trend seen in the passenger car market, the LCV benefited from better economic indicators and easier methods of payment.
The pick-ups counted for 10.9% of the total LCV volume, with registrations up by a healthy 20% compared with 2014. More than 40,500 units left the dealers during 2015, leaving them at the third biggest segment in the LCV market.
Last year was the second best performance for the pick-up segment since 2003 and confirmed the positive trend that started in 2010. Pick-up registrations reached its lowest point in 2009 at 18,870 units but the continuous annual growth until last year took the volume very close to the record of 40,900 units posted in 2006.
This year things look even better based on the information provided by our forecasting partner, LMC Automotive. The registrations for 2016 forecast is at 42,200 units, up by 3.9%, thanks mostly to the good performance that will be posted by the Toyota Hilux, the segment’s leader.
The market of pick-ups is quite small in terms of vehicle choice, with only nine models registering more than one unit in 2015. That’s pretty much the same quantity of models available in 2003. Therefore the pick-up segment is dominated by a very few carmakers from which there was only one European brand during last year.
The Japanese brands have been the traditional leaders thanks to the popular Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi L200 and the Isuzu D-Max. However, during the past four years their dominant position has been affected by the rise of Ford and the arrival of Volkswagen.
That is how the Japanese brand share passed from 79% in 2003 to 88% in 2010, but then it fell to 69% last year while the Ford Ranger increased its segment share to almost 20%. In 2015 the Volkswagen Amarok saw its best year ever at 9.6% share.
Among the Japanese brands, the Toyota Hilux has led the segment since 2011 with volume up by 3.9% over 2014 results at 8,642 units. It was closely followed by the Mitsubishi L200 which, due to its outstanding registrations performance (+30% over 2014), got very close to the Toyota at 8,425 units. The third best-selling Japanese pick-up in 2015 was the Isuzu D-Max.
This segment is expected to grow not only in terms of volume but also in terms of choice of model. Other European carmakers are getting ready to introduce their pick-ups as the segment is becoming more important.
Fiat is one of them, and its Fullback pick-up based on the Mitsubishi L200 should hit European dealers soon. Other European brands that will soon join the segment are Renault with its Alaskan concept presented in 2015, and Mercedes. Both of them will be based on the current Nissan Navara NP300.
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A run down of the UK pick-up market by brand
By Martyn Collins
Fiat
New to the pick-up market, Fiat has partnered up with Mitsubishi to produce the Fullback which was launched at the CV Show 2016, writes Martyn Collins, editor of Business Vans.
Essentially a re-badged Mitsubishi L200, the Fullback is diesel and four-wheel drive only, with the choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions. It is launched later this autumn.
Ford
Henry’s Tonka-tough Ranger is a particular pick-up sweet spot.
The four-wheel drive only Ranger is offered in two bodystyles, with the choice of three turbo-diesel engines. Launched in 2011, the current Ranger is due to be face-lifted in 2016.
Great Wall
The Chinese have arrived and the Steed is the first model available in the UK.
Four-wheel drive only Steed is available in two bodystyles with three versions and powered by one engine, a 2.0-litre diesel. Launched in 2011 and was face-lifted in 2015.
Isuzu
The D-MAX pick-up is the only model that Isuzu sell in the UK.
D-MAX is offered in three bodystyles, with two and four-wheel drive, a wide selection of versions, but with just one 2.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine. A face-lift is due in 2016, with the new Arctic Truck version just launched and an all-new model debuting in 2017.
Mercedes
New to the pick-up market, the three-pointed star has teamed up with Nissan to produce its latest addition, with first images still awaited.
Likely to be called the GLT, this new Mercedes pick-up is closely related to the recently released Nissan Navara NP300. It is expected to be launched by the end of 2017.
Mitsubishi
Established Mitsubishi takes the fight to new upstarts with the all-new L200.
The 4×4 only, all-new L200 five-seat double cab, is available in four different trims, powered by a single 2.4-litre MIVEC diesel engine, with the choice of six-speed manual or five-speed paddle shift auto transmissions. Launched in 2015, there’s no face-lift due at present.
Nissan
New NP300 version of the Navara is the pick-up to beat with its car-like drive.
With the Nissan Navara there is the choice of two bodystyles and five-different versions. Powered by a 2.3 dCi diesel engine in two states of tune, with either manual or automatic transmissions. Launched in 2016, there’s no face-lift planned anytime soon.
Renault
The French manufacturer is another to enter the pick-up market, with the help of sister company Nissan.
With first images just released, a production version of the Renault Alaskan is to debut around the end of the year. Based on the Navara NP300, the production version of the Alaskan is expected to be powered by the same 187bhp version of the 2.3-litre dCi diesel engine.
SsangYong Korando Sports
High-value, good-to-drive alternative to the pick-up mainstream.
The Korando Sports is only available as a four-door double cab, with four-wheel drive and SsangYong’s own 2.0-litre e-XDi diesel. Launched in 2012, the Korando Sports was face-lifted in 2014 and latest based on the top-of-the-range EX automatic, is the new Korando Sports DMZ is a limited edition model featuring full camouflage paintwork, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels, and priced at £19,195 (ex VAT).
Toyota
Hilux is the byword for pick-ups, having been on sale for over 40 years.
The Toyota Hilux is four-wheel drive only, with a choice of three D-4D diesel engines, three versions and two bodystyles. Launched in 2008, an all-new model was given its UK debut at the CV Show.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen waded into the big pick-up market in 2011 and the SUV-like Amarok was the result.
Offered in front- or 4motion four-wheel drive, with three trim-levels, Amarok is offered with a choice of diesel engines with manual or DSG transmissions. Volkswagen has now released pictures of the all-new Amarok model due around the year’s end.
