SMMT increases van registration forecasts

Forecasts for 2010 full year van salesWith Citroën's year to date (YTD) LCV sales up
and registrations have been increased by the SMMT22.61% at 6,013, the company has virtually doubled the
following a better than anticipated first quarter.total LCV market's YTD gain of 11.91%.
The 7.7% increase in van registrations for theCharles Peugeot, Head of Commercial Vehicles and
expected annual totals is a positive sign for industry,Business Sector comments, "Citroën has enjoyed
reflecting increased confidence and stability and aboth a strong April and 2010 YTD sales performance,
sustained level of consumer demand.and has significantly out-performed a fast-rising
Largely unaffected by the scrappage incentive, vanmarket.  This success has been achieved thanks to
registrations are set to be about 8.6% up on 2009an outstanding range of products, highly attractive
reflecting greater business confidence.customer offers and consistent results across all of
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said, "SMMT'sour LCV models." 
latest forecasts reflect the better than expectedEuropean Experience
results in the first quarter and improving consumerFigures released by Acea, the European auto industry
confidence. Sustaining the economic recovery andbody, show 8.8% more new commercial vehicles
improving access to more and better priced financeregistered in the EU last March than in the same month
for businesses and consumers should be the priorityin 2009.  This is the first registration increase in almost
for any new government."two years.  Vans were up 12.4% to 160,980 units
An example of this success was seen in Citroen vanswhile heavy trucks, over 16 tonnes, were down 15.9%
April figures:-to 14,087 units.  For all freight vehicles over 3.5 tonnes,
Citroën's LCV sales sprang ahead 47.58% in April,ie excluding buses and coaches, the total was 22,040
enabling the company to gain a 9% share of theunits, down 10.1%.  Of the most important markets, the
market.  Strong spring-time performance from Nemo,UK recorded both the most vehicles and the highest
Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay models saw Citroën'syear-on-year increase, at 28.0%.
April LCV sales reach a total of 1,340 units.