Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU in October decreased by 2.4% to 185,055 units, breaking a 21-month trend of consecutive growth, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). The decline affected all segments and all major markets, except for Italy.
The Italian market posted a double digit increase (+47.9%), while Germany (-15.0%), the UK (-6.4%), Spain (-5.7%) and France (-5.6%) saw registrations decline compared to October 2015.
Over the first ten months of 2016, new registrations in the EU nevertheless remained positive (+11.6%) thanks to gains in earlier months, totaling about 1.9 million vehicles. During that period, Italy (+41.1%), Spain (+10.8%), France (+8.3%), Germany (+8.1%), and the United Kingdom (+2.1%) all posted growth.
New heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) over 16 tonnes
In October, registrations of new heavy commercial vehicle decreased (-7.7%) compared to October last year, totaling 26,324 units. Among the big five markets, Italy (+35.3%) showed the highest percentage growth, while demand for new HCVs in Germany (-17.4%), the United Kingdom (-16.3%), Spain (-8.7%) and France (-4.3%) dropped significantly.
Ten months into the year, demand for new heavy trucks continued to increase (+12.4%), with 244,303 new vehicles being registered in the EU. All major markets made a positive contribution to the overall upturn, especially the Italian (+37.0%) and French (+13.5%) ones with their double-digit increases.
New medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV) over 3.5 tonnes
In October 2016, new truck registrations were down (-9.0%) compared to October last year. Overall, 31,853 new trucks were registered in the EU. Among the major markets, results for trucks were similar to those of the heavy truck segment, with Italy (+43.9%) showing the highest increase and all other major markets posting declines.
From January to October 2016, 300,228 new trucks were registered in the EU, 11.0% more than in the same period last year. Italy (+37.8%), France (+13.2%) and Spain (+9.4%) made a particularly significant contribution to this.
New medium and heavy buses & coaches (MHBC) over 3.5 tonnes
In October 2016, new registrations in the bus and coach segment declined for the fifth consecutive month (-6.7%), totaling 3,013 units. Italy (+89.4%), Spain (+19.5%) and Germany (+3.6%) all posted growth, while France (-16.6%) performed less well than in October 2015.
Over the first ten months of 2016, the EU market for buses and coaches remained fairly stable (+0.5%), counting 32,311 newly registered vehicles. During this period, demand was primarily driven by Spain (+17.0%) and Germany (+13.2%), while France (-5.5%) saw demand decline.
New light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5 tonnes
In October 2016, EU demand for light commercial vehicles flattened (-0.8%), totaling 150,189 units. This ended the streak of 37 consecutive months of growth in the segment. Demand was mainly driven by Italy (+47.7%), while Germany (-13.2%), France (-5.8%), Spain (-5.5%) and the UK (-4.5%) all saw demand for vans decline in October.
From January to October 2016, 1,572,863 new light commercial vehicles were registered in the EU, or 11.9% more than in the same period one year ago. Italy (+42.2%), Spain (+10.8%), Germany (+9.7%), France (+8.0%) and the UK (+2.0%) all contributed to this positive upturn over the first ten months of 2016.