Vauxhall has begun 2026 with strong sales for two of its models as momentum continues to build for electric vans.
The Vauxhall Combo Electric finished January as the UK’s best-selling small electric van, according to the latest registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The result helped drive a 24% year-on-year increase in Vauxhall van registrations, lifting its LCV market share by 4.1% to a total of 12.2% and placing Vauxhall second overall in the van market.
Vauxhall’s early-year performance was underpinned by continued demand for its small van range, with the Combo proving particularly popular among fleet and business buyers as operators look to electrify. The Combo’s success comes as electric vans continue to gain traction ahead of tightening emissions rules and a rising number of clean-air zones.
Across cars and vans combined, Vauxhall increased total sales by 9% year-on-year in January, finishing fourth overall in the UK market and boosting its combined market share to 5.8%.
While vans provided the biggest uplift, passenger cars also contributed to the positive start. The Corsa remained the UK’s best-selling small car in January, reinforcing its status as a core volume model.
Eurig Druce, Vauxhall MD and Stellantis UK group MD said the results showed encouraging momentum across both sides of the business.
“We’re seeing good growth across both car and van markets, resulting in Vauxhall claiming two UK best-selling vehicles,” Druce said.
“Corsa and Combo are staples in the UK market, consistently topping the sales charts. These early achievements demonstrate positive momentum for the year ahead as demand for Vauxhall’s accessible and practical vehicles continues to grow.”
Vauxhall said it expects demand for electric vans to remain strong throughout 2026. Last year Stellantis opened a new, state-of-the-art Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) in Ellesmere Port, the site of electric van production for the Stellantis van range.
Following the closure of the Vauxhall Luto plant, Ellesmere Port was named as the company's all-electric, sustainable UK Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) hub, with production of small electric LCVs (eK9), which began in September 2023.
A £100 million transformation of Ellesmere Port was carried out in order to build the new EVs, tranforming it into the UK’s first EV-only volume manufacturing facility.
