EU commercial vehicle demand rises for fifth month

Brussels – Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased 6 percent in May, marking the fifth consecutive month of growth at a total of 160,550 units.

Growth was sustained across all commercial vehicle segments, said a report by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) on 26 June.

Results, however, were diverse among the major markets, with Germany and France posting declines of 9.1 percent and 5.6 percent respectively, while Spain and the UK registering double-digit growth at 30.1 percent and 17.4 percent.

Interestingly, a similar pattern could be seen with the passenger car registration across the continent in the month of May.

France and Germany posted a negative trend, with drops of 3.5percent and 6.7percent respectively, while Spain, Italy and the UK continued on a growth path.

New registrations of light commercial vehicles in the month totalled 131,883 units, up 4.3 percent compared to May 2014.

Heavy truck registrations showed an impressive 20.6-percent rise at a total of 20,597 units. Spain, with a 92-percent growth, largely contributed to this positive outcome.

A 16-percent growth was also posted in the trucks market in the month of May, while new bus and coach registrations increased 3.8 percent year-on-year.