The EU market for new commercial vehicles kept growing in line with its positive performance in 2015, with demand increasing 12%, totaling 159,712 units, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).
The truck and heavy truck segments saw significant growth, while bus and coach registrations remained stable. Four of the five largest markets in the EU posted gains in January, Italy (+23.9%) and Spain (+21.0%) recorded the highest growth rates.
New heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) over 16 tonnes
There was a significant uplift in the heavy truck segment (+18.4%), which saw 21,989 new vehicles being registered. Most of the major EU markets contributed to this positive outcome, with Spain (+40.0%), the UK (+33.0%), Germany (+12.6%) and France (+10.8%) posting double-digit percentage gains, while the Italian heavy truck market faced a downturn (-1.3%). Noteworthy are the registration figures of Poland (+34.3%) and the Netherlands (+23.0%).
New medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV) over 3.5 tonnes
Results for trucks were similar to the heavy truck segment, with four of the five largest markets in the EU posting growth over the month. Overall, the EU saw 26,762 new trucks being registered, or 19.1% more than in January 2015.
New medium and heavy buses & coaches (MHBC) over 3.5 tonnes
Results in the bus and coach sector were diverse, with the UK (‐26.8%) and Italy (-10.0%) facing a downturn, while Spain (+33.3%) posted double‐digit growth. Overall, new bus and coach registrations remained stable (-0.2%) across the region.
New light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5 tonnes
New registrations of light commercial vehicles totaled 130,040 units, or 11.0% more than in January 2015. This marked the 29th consecutive month of growth in the segment, which accounts for the majority of sales in the commercial vehicle market. Italy (+28.8%), Spain (+17.1%), France (+12.3%) and Germany (+11.8%) contributed positively to the upturn, while the UK (-4.3%) performed less well than in the same month last year.