In September, new commercial vehicle registrations grew by 6.1% in the EU* totaling 160,038 units. The month counted on average one more working day across the region. Looking at the major markets, the French (-1.8%) and the Italian (-3.5%) shrank, in comparison with September 2012, while the German grew by 4.2% and the UK (+12.5%) and Spanish (+25.4%) posted a double-digit upturn. Three quarters into the year, demand for new commercial vehicles was down 4.0% in the EU* with 1,230,188 new registrations. Spain (+1.8%) and the UK (+7.9%) recorded more vehicles than in the same period last year, while Germany (-6.9%), France (-7.0%) and Italy (-16.2%) saw their markets decline.
New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – “vans”
In September, the number of new van registrations increased by 5.6%, amounting to 130,789 units. Italy (-1.5%) and France (-3.1%) performed less well than in the same month last year, while Germany (+4.3%), the UK (+10.3%) and Spain (+29.1%) registered more vehicles. From January to September, results were diverse across countries. France (-6.9%) and Germany (-6.4%) performed similarly, while Italy (-16.3%) recorded a sharper downturn. Spain (+4.0%) and the UK (+9.6%) fared better than in the first nine months of 2012. Overall, the market of new vans shrank by 3.4%, totaling 1,004,479 units in the EU*.
New Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – “heavy trucks”
The segment of heavy trucks grew by 8.7% in September, accounting for 20,114 new registrations. Most markets expanded, from +3.7% in Germany to +7.0% in France, +11.0% in Spain and +40.2% in the UK. Italy was the only major market to shrink (-24.1%). Nine months into the year, the UK was the only country to post growth (+6.1%), as downturn ranged from -8.4% in France to -8.9% in Germany, -12.1% in Spain and -14.1% in Italy, leading to an overall 6.1% decrease in the region. In total, 151,817 new heavy trucks were registered in the period.
New Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – “trucks
In September, the EU* registered 26,058 new trucks, or 7.6% more than in the same month last year. Italy was the only significant market to contract, as growth ranged from +2.5% in Germany to +7.0% in France, +12.1% in Spain and +32.0% in the UK. From January to September, most major markets declined, from -8.6% in Germany to -9.5% in France, -11.7% in Spain and -17.3% in Italy. The UK stood out with a 1.5% expansion of its market. In total, 202,239 new trucks were registered, or 6.8% less than in the first nine months of 2012.
New Buses & Coaches over 3.5t
In September, growth prevailed across major EU markets, leading to an overall 15.7% upturn. The UK (+21.3%), France (+13.6%) and Germany (+38.6%) remained the largest markets. Three quarters into the year, results were diverse with Germany (+3.0%) and France (+8.6%) recording growth, while Italy (-1.8%), Spain (-7.3%) and the UK (-12.0%) faced a downturn. Overall, demand for new buses and coaches reached 23,470 units, or 2.7% less than in the same period a year earlier.
