European Commercial Vehicle Registrations Fall 4.7% in January

Feb. 28, 2012
Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU decreased in January by 4.7%, compared to the same month last year, amounting to 141,120 units, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association

Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU decreased in January by 4.7%, compared to the same month last year, amounting to 141,120 units, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Germany was the only major market to post growth (+3.1%), while France (-1.8%), the UK (-8.1%), Spain (-21.1%) and Italy (-31.2%) all contracted. The month counted on average one more working day across the region than January 2011.

New heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding buses and coaches) – "heavy trucks"

The segment of heavy trucks expanded in January (+3.9%) with 18,949 new registrations in the EU. Results were diverse across countries as the UK posted a strong growth (+35.8%), while France grew more moderately (+3.3%), Germany slipped by 1.6%, and Spain (-12.6%) and Italy (-13.5%) contracted more significantly.

New commercial vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses and coaches) – "trucks"

The EU* registered 4.5% more trucks in January this year, compared with January 2011, recording 24,538 vehicles in total. Germany was the largest market, although shrinking by 2.3%, followed by France (+6.3%) and the UK, which posted the strongest growth among the major markets (+48.3%). Spain (-16.2%) and Italy (-14.6%) ranked fourth and fifth.

New light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t – "vans"

In January, new van registrations were down 6.4%, totaling 114,164 units. France remained the largest market despite a 2.6% drop, followed by Germany which was the only significant market to grow. The UK (-16.4%), Spain (-19.8%) and Italy (-32.8%) faced double-digit downturns.
New buses and coaches over 3.5t
January saw a 4.5% decrease in new bus and coach registrations in the EU*. Germany (+18.9%), the UK (+24.0%) and France (-10.9%) recorded the most vehicles, while Italy (-35.2%) and Spain (-63.5%) contracted sharply.

Related content: EU Commercial Vehicle Registrations Up 7.5% in December