New van registrations dropped 40.1% in June and 37.0% to 212,565 for the rolling year.

Paul Everitt, Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders 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.

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