Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU in September increased for the ninth consecutive month, totaling 208,077 units for a 14.7% boost, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
Growth was sustained across all commercial vehicle segments. Spain (+53.2%) and the UK (+19.9%) confirmed the positive momentum posting double-digit percentage gains, followed by France (+9.7%) and Italy (+4.9%), while Germany remained stable (+0.6%).
Over nine months in 2015, the EU market expanded (+12.2%), totaling 1,517,247 commercial vehicles. During the same period, Spain (+38.6%), the UK (+19.2%), Italy (+10.0%), Germany (+2.2%) and France (+1.9%) all posted growth.
New heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding heavy buses & coaches) – heavy trucks
September 2015 results show an increase in new heavy truck registrations (+20.2%), totaling 24,912 units. Spain (+79.3%), still benefiting from the government incentive program, largely contributed to this positive outcome, followed by Italy (+56.4%), the UK (+26.7%) and France (+20.5%) which all posted double-digit growth.
Nine months into the year, the EU market grew (+20.6%), reaching 188,281 units. Spain (+55.7%), the UK (+44.0%), Italy (+26.7%), France (+11.3%) and Germany (+3.6%) saw demand for heavy trucks increase, contributing to the overall upturn of the EU market over the period.
New medium & heavy commercial vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses & coaches) – trucks
In September 2015, 30,544 new trucks were registered in the EU, up (+17.0%) compared to September 2014. All major markets supported the overall expansion, with Spain (+75.0%), Italy (+39.7%), the UK (+17.7%), France (+17.5%) and Germany (+5.3%) posting growth.
From January to September 2015, 235,238 new trucks (+16.6%) were registered in the EU. In particular, Spain (+51.9%), the UK (+34.2%) and Italy (+22.1%) recorded significant increases over the period, followed by France (+8.8%) and Germany (+1.5%) which reported more modest growth.
New buses & coaches over 3.5t
In September 2015, new bus and coach registrations increased (+29.8%) compared to September 2014, totaling 4,018 units. The UK (+55.9%), Spain (+44.3%), Italy (+21.7%) and France (+15.5%) positively contributed to the overall expansion, while Germany (-13.2%) performed less well than in September 2014.
Over nine months in 2015, the EU market increased (+18.2%), totalling 29,000 new buses and coaches. Demand was primarily driven by Spain (+42.8%) and the UK (+30.0%), followed by France (+18.3%), Italy (+15.3%) and Germany (+7.0%).
New light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t – vans
In September 2015, new registrations of light commercial vehicles totalled 173,515 units, up (+14.0%) compared to September 2014. This marked the 25th consecutive month of growth in the segment. Spain (+50.8%), the UK (+19.6%), France (+8.8%) and Italy (+2.0%) positively contributed to the upturn, while Germany showed a slight decline (-0.9%).
From January to September 2015, 1,253,009 new vans were registered in the EU (+11.2%). Spain (+37.0%), the UK (+17.4%), Italy (+8.5%) and Germany (+2.4%) saw demand for vans increase over this period, while France remained stable (+0.9%).