European Union commercial vehicle registrations climb 16.8% in February

April 1, 2011
New commercial vehicle registrations amounted to 141,914 units in the European Union in February 2011, a 16.8% increase over the same month in 2010, according

New commercial vehicle registrations amounted to 141,914 units in the European Union in February 2011, a 16.8% increase over the same month in 2010, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

All segments posted growth except buses and coaches. The month counted on average the same number of working days across the region versus February 2010. From January to February, new registrations increased by 18.5%, compared with the same period a year ago, totaling 290,695 units. Growth prevailed across categories.

New light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes — “vans”

Demand for new vans was up 12.3% in February, with 118,040 vehicles registered. France recorded the most vans and expanded its market by 13.6%, followed by Germany (+32.0%) and the United Kingdom (+23.9%). With 9,217 units, Spain saw its market contract by 6.7%. Two months into the year, a total of 240,057 new vans was registered in the EU, or 13.8% more than in the same period in 2010. France (+11.1%), Germany (+33.2%), and the UK (+37.9%) performed better, while Spain faced a downturn (-7.0%).

New heavy commercial vehicles over 16 tonnes (excluding buses and coaches) — “heavy trucks”

The segment of heavy trucks posted the strongest growth in February (+74.4%) with 16,397 new registrations. Among the major markets, the British expanded the most (+152.2%), followed by German (+78.2%), French (+67.7%), and Spanish (+53.8%). From January to February, the EU recorded 34,574 new heavy trucks, or 70.3% more than in the first two months of 2010. Germany (+72.1%) registered the most trucks, followed by France (+66.5%), the UK (+147.8%), the Netherlands (+38.5%), and Spain (+51.8%).

New commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (excluding buses and coaches) — “trucks”

February results in the truck segment showed a 53.9% increase in the EU, which totaled 21,815 units. All significant markets posted growths ranging from 40.8% in Spain to 50.9% in the UK, 57.1% in France ,and 64.1% in Germany. From January to February, new truck registrations were up 53.6%. Growth prevailed in all major markets as the Netherlands expanded by 33.9%, Spain by 42.9%, the UK by 55.1%, France by 56.0%, and Germany by 61.5%.

New buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes

The category of buses and coaches was the only one to decline in February. Registrations were down 4.7% compared with the same month in 2010. Out of the largest markets, only Spain grew (+51.5%). The UK and Germany performed similarly, contracting by 16.6% and 16.9%, respectively. France saw its demand for new buses and coaches fall by 40.5%. Two months into 2011, the EU recorded 7% more vehicles than in January-February 2010. While demand was down in the UK (-14.0%) and France (-16.7%), it increased in Germany (+4.7%) and Spain (+78.2%).