EU truck market charges ahead

Latest figures in from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) show sales of commercial vehicle are continuing to grow.

In August 2015, demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased (+8.7%) for the eighth consecutive month, totalling 113,865 units.

Growth was sustained across all commercial vehicle segments. Southern European markets confirmed the positive momentum, with Spain (+43.6%) and Italy (+21.2%) posting double-digit percentage gains, followed by the UK (+15.8%), while France remained stable (+0.2%) and Germany (-8.7%) saw its demand for commercial vehicles decrease.

Over eight months in 2015, the EU market expanded (+11.8%), totalling 1,308,788 commercial vehicles. During the same period, Spain (+37.0%), the UK (+19.0%), Italy (+10.3%), Germany (+2.4%) and France (+0.8%) all posted growth.

In August 2015, new registrations of van up to 3.5t totalled 90,675 units, up (+7.0%) compared to August 2014. This marked two consecutive years of growth in this segment. Spain (+43.3%), Italy (+20.5%) and the UK (+14.3%) positively contributed to the upturn, while Germany (-12.6%) and France (-1.1%) performed less well than in August 2014.

From January to August 2015, more than one million (1,079,131) new vans were registered in the EU (+10.8%). Spain (+35.5%), the UK (+16.8%), Italy (+9.0%) and Germany (+2.8%) saw their demand for vans increase over this period, while France remained stable (-0.3%).

August 2015 results show an increase in new heavy truck (over 16t) registrations (+19.0%), totalling 15,496 units. Spain (+67.3%), still benefiting from the government incentive programme, largely contributed to this positive outcome, followed by Italy (+25.2%), the UK (+17.3%) and France (+10.5%), which all posted double-digit growth.

Eight months into the year, the EU market grew (+20.7%), reaching 163,364 units. Spain (+52.9%), the UK (+48.8%), Italy (+24.0%), France (+10.0%) and Germany (+3.6%) saw their demand for heavy trucks increase, contributing to the overall upturn of the EU market over the period.

In August 2015, 19,861 new were registered in the EU, up (+14.7%) compared to August 2014. All major markets supported the overall expansion, with Spain (+59.5%), Italy (+24.6%), the UK (+15.0%), France (+6.8%) and Germany (+0.6%) posting growth.

From January to August 2015, 204,679 new medium and heavy trucks over 3.5t (excluding buses and coaches) were registered in the EU (+16.6%). In particular, Spain (+49.3%), the UK (+38.4%) and Italy (+20.4%) recorded significant increases over the period, followed by France (+7.7%) and Germany (+1.0%), which reported more modest growth.

In August 2015, new bus and coach registrations (over 3.5t) increased (+23.1%) compared to August 2014, totalling 3329 units. The UK (+117.5%), Germany (+28.6%), Italy (+19.9%) and France (+13.3%) positively contributed to the overall expansion, while Spain (-54.3%) performed less well than in August 2014.

Over eight months in 2015, this market increased (+16.5%), totalling 24,978 new buses and coaches. Demand was primarily driven by Spain (+42.3%) and the UK (+25.9%), followed by France (+18.7%) and Italy (+15.1%).

Click here for breakdown of new commercial vehicle registrations for August for Australia.