The EU market of new commercial vehicles expanded for the twelfth consecutive month in August, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Demand increased by 6.1%, totaling 104,686 units.
Growth prevailed in the segment of vans, while the truck and buses and coaches segments declined. All major markets expanded, except for France (-6.1%), from 7.7% in Germany to 10.5% in Italy, 10.7% in the UK and 17.6% in Spain. From January to August, 1,171,120 new commercial vehicles were registered, or 9.1% more than in the same period last year. Looking at the largest markets, France remained stable (-1.0%), while Germany expanded by 7.5%. The UK (+12.8%), Italy (+15.1%) and Spain (+33.9%) posted double-digit growths.
New Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding buses and coaches) – 'heavy trucks'
In August the same growth pattern could be observed for Germany (+2.4%) and Italy (+3.8%), while a consistent decrease in France (-16.4%) and the UK (-23.5%) was recorded, leading to an overall 6.1% downturn. Over eight months, the region registered 3.0% more vehicles than in the same period last year and counted 135,837 new heavy trucks. Looking at the major markets, France (-9.0%) and the UK (-24.8%) performed less well than in the first eight months of 2013, while the Italian (+12.8%), German (+15.3%) and Spanish (+32.5%) markets expanded.
New Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses and coaches) – 'trucks'
In August a majority of major markets registered a drop in truck registrations, from -4.4% in Germany to -15.4% in France and -20.8% in the UK. The Italian market expanded (+4.2%), while the Spanish remained stable (+0.7%). From January to August, France (-10.2%) and the UK (-23.9%) faced a downturn, while demand was up in Italy (+3.4%), Germany (+6.7%) and Spain (+27.2%), leading to a stable situation in the whole region (-0.4%). In total, 175,604 new trucks were registered in the EU in the first eight months.
New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – 'vans'
In August all major markets expanded, except for France (-3.5%), from 11.5% in Italy to 13.4% in Germany, 19.3% in Spain and 22.3% in the UK, leading to an overall 10.2% upturn. From January to August, the EU market of vans increase by 11.1%, compared to the first eight months of 2013, mainly affected by the significant growth recorded in the Italian (+16.9%), UK (+19.1%) and Spanish (+35.2%) markets. France remained stable (+0.3%), while Germany expanded by 7.9%. New van registrations in the EU totaled 974,215 units over the period.
New buses and coaches over 3.5t
August results were down 12.7% compared to August 2013, with diverse results in the major markets. France (-28.5%), Germany (-19.7%) and the UK (-54.0%) declined, while Italy and Spain grew (+27.9% and + 70.9% respectively). From January to August, Spain was the largest market (+9.3%), followed by Germany (+3.5%) and Italy (+1.4%). Overall, the EU* recorded 21,301 new buses and coaches, or 4.6% more than in the first eight months of 2013.