Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU in February increased for the second consecutive month after the decline recorded at the end of 2014, with total commercial vehicle registrations up 8.3% at 135,778 units, according to according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
Growth was sustained across all segments of commercial vehicles. Looking at the largest markets, Spain recorded the highest upturn (+29.5%) followed by the UK (+19.4) and Italy (+8.7%), while demand in Germany remained roughly stable (+1.0%). France was the only major market recording a decline (-4.3%). Significant growth was also posted by the new EU member states (+20.4%) contributing to last month’s positive outcome across the region.
In the first two months of the year, the EU market expanded by 8.0%, totalling 278,376 commercial vehicles. During the same period, Spain (+27.7%), the UK (+21.9%), Italy (+5.2%) and Germany (+3.1%) all posted growth, while France was the only major market recording a decline (-7.0%).
New Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding Heavy Buses & Coaches) – heavy trucks
February 2015 results showed an 8.1% increase in new heavy truck registrations, totaling 17,185 units. This positive outcome was mainly sustained by the significant growth recorded in the UK (+52.1%), Spain (+48.9%) and Italy (+15.2%), while heavy truck registrations dropped in France (-14.8%) and Germany (-9.3%). Noteworthy was the contribution of the new EU member states (+19.5%) to last month positive outcome.
Two months into the year, the EU market grew by 8.2%, reaching 35,732 units. The UK (+55.4%), Spain (+16.2%), Germany (+4.5%) and Italy (+4.1%) saw their demand for heavy trucks increase, while French market declined by -18.6%.
New Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – trucks
In February 2015, results for trucks were diverse, with France (-17.2%) and Germany (-15.3%) performing less well than in February 2014, while Italy (+9.3%), the UK (+30.5%) and Spain (+42.9%) recorded a significant increase. Overall, the EU recorded 21,048 new trucks, or 2.0% more than in February 2014.
From January to February 2015, 43,541 new trucks were registered in the EU, 4.4% more than in the same period last year. Among major markets only the UK (+33.0%), Spain (+16.5%) and Italy posted growth (+1.9%).
New Buses & Coaches over 3.5t
In February 2015, new buses and coaches registrations increased (+12.2%) compared to February 2014. This was probably due to the significant growth observed in the new EU member states (+45.3%).
In the first two months of 2015, the EU market increased by 17.2%, totaling 5,108 new buses and coaches. Demand declined only in France (-2.2%) and in Italy (-7.8%), while new buses and coaches registrations increased in Spain (+47.4%), the UK (+45.9%) and Germany (+0.7%).
New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – vans
In February 2015, new registrations of light commercial vehicles totaled 112,593 units, or 9.5% more than in February 2014. This marked the eighteenth consecutive month of growth in this segment, which accounts for the majority of sales in the commercial vehicle market. Spain (+27.7%), the UK (+17.9%), Germany (+9.2%) and Italy (+8.8%) contributed positively to the upturn, while France (-2.6%) performed less well than in February 2014.
From January to February 2015, 229,727 new vans were registered in the EU or 8.5% more than in the same period last year. France (-5.5%) was the only major market to post a decline, while Spain (+29.3%), the UK (+20.2%), Italy (+6.0%) and Germany (+5.2%) saw their demand for vans increase.