EU commercial vehicle sales rose in June, but pace slows

ERJ staff report (DS)

Brussels -- Demand for new commercial vehicles were up 1.5 percent in June, compared to the same month a year ago. In total, 165,767 new vehicles were recorded in the EU, according to new figures from ACEA, the European federation of vehicloe makers.

While the UK (+12.8 percent) and Germany (+8.7 percent) posted growth, Spain (-12.7 percent) and France (-6.8 percent) performed less well. In the first semester of 2011, registrations of new commercial vehicles amounted to 1,001,579 units, or 13.5 percent more than in the first half-year of 2010. Spain was the only major market to decline (-8.4 percent) while France (+8.5 percent), the UK (+23.8 percent) and Germany (+24.5 percent) all saw their markets expanded.

In June, a total of 136,888 new vans (up to 3.5 tonnes) were registered in the EU, or 1.3 percent less than in the same month last year. Results were diverse across major markets as France (-10.3 percent) and Spain (-15.2 percent) faced a downturn, while Germany (+8.7 percent) and the UK (+13.5 percent) posted growth.

In the first half-year, most vans were registered in France (222,722 units). The UK (133,238 units) and Germany (110,306 units) were the next most significant markets. All three expanded by 5.1 percent, 24.2 percent and 19.9 percent respectively. Spain was the only major market to contract (13.3 percent). Overall, the EU recorded 826,268 new vans or 9.4 percent more than in the first six months of 2010.

New registrations of heavy trucks (over 16 tonnes) in June amounted to 19,528 units across the EU, or 36.9 percent more than in June last year. All major markets posted growth, ranging from +12.2 percent in Germany to +17.3 percent in Spain, +34.2 percent in the UK and 41.9 percent in France.

From January to June, the EU recorded 119,745 new heavy trucks, or 55.9 percent more than in the same period a year earlier. Registrations were up in all markets, except Greece (-53.0 percent), increasing by 37.2 percent in Spain, 42.8 percent in Germany, 62.3 percent in France and 64.0 percent in the UK.

June results in the segment of trucks (3.5 - 16 tonnes) showed a 21.3 percent upturn, with a total of 26,187 new vehicles registered in the EU. Germany (+9.8 percent), Spain (+14.4 percent), the UK (+18.1 percent) and France (+35.4 percent) all posted growth.

Six months into the year, all significant markets expanded, leading to an overall 43.6 percent increase of new truck registrations in the region. France saw its demand for new trucks rise by 52.2 percent, Germany by 38.1 percent, the UK by 36.4 percent and Spain by 35.9 percent. In total, 158,947 new vehicles were recorded in the EU.

New bus and coach registrations were down14.3 percent in June, totaling 2,692 units. France was the only important market which slightly expanded (+0.7 percent) as the Spanish (-9.4 percent), German (-14.0 percent) and British (-30.6 percent) all declined.

In the first six months of the year, EU markets performed diversely, resulting in an overall 2.4 percent contraction with a total of 16,364 new registrations. While demand for new buses and coaches was up 3.6 percent in Germany and rose by 41.6 percent in Spain, it slipped by 2.1 percent in France and fell by 30.4 percent in the UK.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release from ACEA