The new commercial vehicle sales market is described as being in rude health after a positive August.

Sales figures, released today, show that the van market is buoyant with growth of 15.1% in August 2010, compared to August 2009.

Van sales for the year are up 16.9% on last year.

The sector of the van market seeing the greatest increase in sales was heavy vans 3 – 3.5t where sales grew by 25.3% in August and by 17.7%for the year compared to 2009.

Sue Robinson, RMI franchised director, said: "The improvement we are seeing in van sales month on month, may be attributed in part, to the relatively low uptake of the scrappage scheme last year, meaning that figures from August 2009 are not distorted as they are in other vehicle sectors.

"Also, growth in internet sales that necessitate deliveries, opposed to the use of the postal service, may be to thank for continued sector growth”.