EU commercial vehicle market down slightly in August

Sept. 21, 2017
EU demand for commercial vehicles decreased 0.01% in August after July’s upsurge (4%), according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). 

EU demand for commercial vehicles decreased 0.01% in August after July’s upsurge (4%), according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). 

The various segments performed differently, with demand for buses increasing strongly (+17.8%) while registrations of new trucks declined (-2.9%). Among the major markets, Spain and France recorded the highest percentage gains (+20.5% and +14.5% respectively), but the Italian market saw a substantial fall in demand (-22.9%).

Over eight months in 2017, EU demand maintained momentum. With 1.6 million new commercial vehicles registered, the market went up by 3.7%. Spain had the strongest growth over the period (+15.3%), followed by France (+7.4%), Italy (+2.2%) and Germany (+1.8%). By contrast, demand for new commercial vehicles contracted by 2.6% in the United Kingdom.

New heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) over 16 tonnes

In August 2017, demand for heavy commercial vehicles declined slightly compared to one year ago. A total of 17,984 new heavy trucks were registered across the EU, 2.2% less than in August 2016. The Spanish, French and German markets did very well – up 9.5%, 8.0% and 7.6% respectively – but demand for heavy trucks fell strongly in Italy (-17.7%) and the UK (-22.1%).

So far in 2017, the EU market increased modestly (+1.1%), totalling 188,519 HCVs registered. Results were diverse among the major markets, with Italy recording the highest growth (+16.4%) despite a decline in August and demand remaining stable in Germany (-0.1%) and the United Kingdom (-0.2%).

New medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV) over 3.5 tonnes

August 2017 figures show that EU demand for new trucks fell compared to August 2016 (-2.9%), reaching 23,511 units registered. Similarly to the HCV segment, the Italian and UK markets posted double-digit declines (down
-24.9% and -17.3% respectively), while sales in Germany, France and Spain increased by 1.2%, 4.6% and 12.4%. 

From January to August 2017, 239,774 new trucks were registered in the EU, only 0.8% more than last year. Just like in the HCV segment, Italy (+14.3%) and France (+5.1%) performed well, but truck registrations went down in Germany (-1.1%).

New medium and heavy buses & coaches (MHBC) over 3.5 tonnes              

In August 2017, 3,968 new buses and coaches were registered across the region, significantly up compared to August last year (+17.8%). Demand contracted in the UK (-1.3%) and Germany (-2.8%), but the Italian (+31.3%) and Spanish (+16.7%) markets posted strong results.

Over eight months in 2017, the EU bus and coach market grew by 3.2%, counting 26,319 new vehicles registered. Demand decreased in France (-11.4%) and the United Kingdom (-11.1%), but new bus and coach registrations went up in Italy (+43.1%), Spain (+18.0%) and Germany (+6.6%).

New light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5 tonnes

In August 2017, registrations of new light commercial vehicles in the EU totalled 123,568 units – so, more or less stable when compared to August last year. Results were diverse among the five big markets, with Germany (-3.1%) and Italy in particular (-23.3%) posting declines. The Spanish and French markets, on the other hand, recorded the strongest performances (+21.6% and +16.1% respectively).

Eight months into the year, roughly 1.3 million new vans were registered in the European Union, up 4.3% compared to the same period one year ago. Spain (+17.1%), France (+8.0%) and Germany (+2.7%) performed well, the United Kingdom (-2.8%) was the only major market with falling demand.