Germany's heavy-vehicle market struggling

Germany's commercial truck industry continues to stagnate, with registration of heavy vehicles down 4% in June compared to the same month a year ago. Registration of medium and heavy commercial vehicles grew by just 1% in the first six months of 2003 compared to the same period a year ago. In the segment up to 6 tons, new registrations have been on the decline since early 2000, slipping by a further 6% in the first half of 2003.Van exports were 9% lower in June than they were last year, while exports of commercial vehicles above 6 tons fell by 5%. In the first six months of this year, German manufacturers exported the same number of vans as lasts year, although markets as a whole had contracted.