ACEA

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: registrations increase over summer

New registrations of commercial vehicles in the EU* were up 3.0% in July** and 15.7% in August, leading to an 8.3% increase** over the two summer months compared to the same period last year. From January to August, a total of 1,2611,244 new commercial vehicles were registered across the region**, or 12.1% more than in the first eight months of 2010. Most major markets posted growth, ranging from 6.4% in France to 21.1% in the UK and 23.3% in Germany. Spain was the only one to contract (-6.3%).

New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – “vans”

In July, new registrations of vans amounted to 114,947 units, or 0.4% less than in the same month last year**. Of the major markets, Germany was the only one to expand (+20.9%). France (-12.0%), Spain (-3.3%) and the UK (-0.8%) performed less well than a year ago. In August, growth prevailed in all significant markets, ranging from 5.4% in France to 12.6% in Spain, 22.8% in the UK and 25.3% in Germany. Overall, the EU recorded 14.4% more vans than in August 2010**. Eight months into the year, a total of 1,034,168 new vans was registered in the region**, or 8.3% more than in the same period last year**. While the Spanish market shrank (-10.4%), the French (+3.0%), the German (+20.6%) and the British (+20.9%) all grew.

New Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – “heavy trucks”

Heavy trucks posted the strongest growth across segments in July (+29.4%), accounting for a total of 18,630 new vehicles** in the EU*. Spain (+10.0%), Germany (+14.1%), France (+39.9) and the UK (+46.3%) all experienced a double-digit growth. In August, the upturn was still strong in Germany (+18.6%), the UK (+32.4%) and France (41.7%). The Spanish market proved to be stable (-0.6%). From January to August, new truck registrations rose by 49.4%** in the EU*, as the UK (+57.8%), France (+57.5%), Germany (+35.3%) and Spain (+28.9%) all saw their markets expand.

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

Demand for trucks in July was up 22.4%** across the EU*. Growth rates in the major markets ranged from 5.8% in Spain to 13.0% in Germany, 35.2% in France and 38.4% in the UK. In August, new truck registrations increased by 23.5%, reflecting the upturn in Germany (+15.6%), the UK (+29.1%) and France (+38.9%). The Spanish market remained stable (-0.5%). From January to August, 205,082 new trucks were registered** in the EU*, or 38.6% more than in the same period last year. With the exception of Greece (-60.3%), all markets expanded. Demand for trucks rose by 27.3% in Spain, 31.3% in Germany, 35.9% in the UK and 48.8% in France.

New Buses & Coaches over 3.5t

After a 3.8% drop in July**, new bus and coach registrations increased by 4.8% in August**. France remained the largest market throughout both months and saw its market grow by 7.4% in July and 23.4% in August. Eight months into the year, the segment of buses and coaches was the only one to decline (-1.5%), totaling 21,994 units. Looking at the major markets, Germany (+1.2%), France (+4.5%) and Spain (+38.7%) performed better than in the same period last year. Results in the UK were negative (-26.8%).

* Data for Cyprus and Malta are unavailable
** Due to the unavailability of data from Italy since January 2011, figures reported for that country are an extrapolation made by data provider AAA. They are not actual market figures, hence the possibility of an error margin with regard to the EU totals. Italy usually accounts for 10 to 15% of the EU Commercial Vehicle market.

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