Renault significantly outpaced the UK van market last year, reporting a 39.5% year-on-year surge in sales compared to a 15.5% rise overall.

The manufacturer registered 25,458 vehicles, increasing its full-year market share by 1.2 percentage points to 6.7%.

Strong growth was helped by the new Trafic’s first full year of sales, it  registered 13,700 units last year – up 49% on 2014.

“LCV was a real success story,” said Mark Dickens, head of fleet sales at Renault Group UK. “How did we do that?  A real strong performance from our conversion business. We particularly improved our volume in the Master Tipper market, improving sales by 185% year-on-year.”

The conversion market was up 31% in 2015, while Renault achieved growth  of 79%.

“It’s a key area for us in 2016,” continued Dickens.

The surge in sales in the UK has also helped Renault to retain its position  as the best-selling van manufacturer in Europe for the 18th consecutive year.

It registered 269,203 units, up 16.9% on 2014, and recorded a 0.7 percentage point increase in market share to 15%.

It is also targeting growth in the car market with a C-segment product offensive.