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Oct 28, 2011 1:06 PM

Demand for new commercial vehicles was up 4.5% in the EU in September, supported by positive results in Spain (+4.7%), Germany (+7.7%) and the UK (+8.7%) that offset a 3.5% decline in France, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

From January to September, most major markets posted growth, ranging from 5.2% in France to 18.6% in the UK and 21.2% in Germany, leading to an overall 11.1% upturn in the region. Compared to the same period last year, Spain was the only country to experience a decline(-5.3%). 

A breakdown of the markets:

Across segments, heavy trucks increased the most in September (+16.6%), with a total of 175,527 new registrations. Growth prevailed in all significant markets, ranging from 11.4% in Spain and the UK to 12.4% in Germany and 24.8% in France. From January to September, all EU markets posted growth, except Greece (-58.5%), leading to a 44.3% increase of new heavy truck registrations in the region. The upturn was strong in Spain (+26.6%), Germany (+32.0%), the UK (+47.8%) and France (+52.9%). 

New Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – "trucks"

In September, new truck registrations were up 13% in the EU. Growth prevailed in all major markets, reaching 7.3% in Germany, 10.4% in the UK, 13.3% in Spain and 25.8% in France. Cumulative results from January to September showed a 34.8% increase in new truck registrations which amounted to 234,108 units. Spain (+25.5%), Germany (+27.8%), the UK (+31.0%) and France (+45.9%) all posted  double-digit growth.

New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – "vans" 

In September, new van registrations totaled 143,086 units, or 3.3% more than in the same month a year ago. Spain (+6.0%), Germany (+8.6%) and the UK (+9.4%) all saw their markets expand, while France faced a 6.9% downturn. Nine months into the year, the EU recorded 1,177,250 new vans, or 7.7% more than in the first nine months of 2010. Looking at the major markets, the UK (+18.5%) and Germany (+19.1%) posted a double-digit growth, France grew by 1.8% and Spain shrank by 9%. 

New Buses & Coaches over 3.5t

The segment of buses and coaches was the only one to decline in September (-10.2%). All major markets were down, except France (+70%), which remained the biggest one. From January to September, demand for new buses and coaches was down 2.7%, with diverse performances across markets. France (+10.7%) and Spain (+20.4%) recorded more vehicles than in the same period last year, while Germany slightly contracted (-1.4%) and the UK (-27.8%) faced a more important downturn.