Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU in April continued to expand, totaling 169,746 units for a 12.2% increase, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
Growth was sustained across all commercial vehicle segments. The UK (+22.8%) and Spain (+18.5%) posted double‐digit growth, followed by Italy (+9.0%), Germany (+7.0%) and France (+1.4%), which also saw their demand increase, contributing to the overall expansion.
Four months into the year, the EU market expanded by 13.0%, totalling 671,701 commercial vehicles. Over the period, Spain (+35.2%), the UK (+23.9%) Italy (+7.6%) and Germany (+7.1%) all posted growth, while France remained stable (+0.01%).
New Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding Heavy Buses & Coaches) – heavy trucks
April 2015 results showed a 20.8% increase in new heavy truck registrations, totalling 21,543 units. This positive outcome was mainly sustained by the significant growth recorded in the UK (+79.2%), Spain (+38.6%) and France (+24.1%). Noteworthy was the contribution of the new EU member states (+32.2%) to last month’s positive outcome. Four months into the year, the EU market grew by 17.0%, reaching 82,039 units. The UK (+70.6%), Spain (+26.7%), Italy (+12.1%) and Germany (+2.3%) saw their demand for heavy trucks increase, while the French market remained stable (+0.3%). The impressive growth recorded in the Netherlands (+105.8%) persisted during this period.
New Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – trucks
In April 2015, 26,883 new trucks were registered in the EU, up 15.0% compared to April 2014. Among major markets the UK (+52.3%), Spain (+25.7%) and France (+16.2%) posted double‐digit growth, while Italy remained stable and Germany (‐3.8%) performed less well than in April 2014. From January to April 2015, results for trucks were diverse, with France (‐2.8%) and Germany (‐1.8%) performing less well than in the same period last year, while Spain (+23.3%) and the UK (+47.0%) recorded significant increases. Overall, the EU recorded 101,107 new trucks, or 11.9% more than in April 2014.
New Buses & Coaches over 3.5t
In April 2015, new bus and coach registrations increased (+5.5%) compared to April 2014. Italy (+83.3%), Spain (+28.3%) and France (+20.6%) mainly contributed to this positive result. From January to April 2015, the EU market increased by 17.1%, totalling 12,175 new buses and coaches. Demand was driven primarily by Spain (+74.2%), Italy (+27.3%) the UK (+15.7%).
New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – vans
In April 2015, new registrations of light commercial vehicles totalled 139,598 units, up 11.8% compared to April 2014. This marked the twentieth consecutive month of growth in this segment. The UK (+20.9%), Spain (+17.6%), Germany (+11.9%) and Italy (+8.8%) contributed positively to the upturn, while France was only major market to record a slight decline (‐0.3%). From January to April 2015, 558,419 new vans were registered in the EU, or 13.1% more than in the same period last year. All major markets saw their demand for vans increase over this period, especially Spain (+36.2%), the UK (+22.0%) and Germany (+10.9%) which posted double‐digit growth.