European CV sales down by 9 percent in 2008

ERJ staff report (DS)

Brussels -- In 2008, demand for new commercial vehicles decreased by 9.0 percent across Europe reflecting the impact of the economic crisis in the second half of the year and marking the sharpest downturn in demand since 1993.

After a slight increase in the first quarter of 2008 (+1.3 percent), new registrations backtracked in the second quarter (-2.7 percent) and dropped more dramatically in the third (-12.0 percent) and fourth (-24.0 percent).

In total, 2.516 million new vehicles were registered last year. The 24.4 percent decrease in December was the second largest of the year, after a 30.8 percent plunge in November. The December fall - involving all vehicle categories-was somewhat eased by the on average two more working days across the region.

The van segment (commercial vehicles less than 3.5t) was the most severely hit by the crisis during the year (-10.4 percent) in spite of the 5.1 percent growth posted in the new EU Member States. Overall results were pulled down by the performance recorded in Western Europe (-12.0 percent). Of the biggest markets, France (-0.3 percent) and Germany (+0.8 percent) proved to be relatively stable, while Italy (-8.7 percent), the UK (-14.9 percent) and Spain (-39.7 percent) faced a more heavy drop. In the new EU Member States, the Czech Republic (-3.3 percent) and Poland (8.9 percent) remained the largest markets.

In the heavy truck segment (over 16t), cumulative figures for the whole year show a contrasting picture as the West European market slightly increased by 0.4 percent and demand in the new EU Member States fell by 15.3 percent, resulting in a 2.2 percent downturn for Europe*. In Western Europe, the French (+8.5 percent) and the British (+19.6) markets closed 2008 higher, while new heavy truck registrations slipped by 1.0 percent in Germany and by 1.8 percent in Italy. The Spanish market performed worst with a 30.7 percent drop in 2008.

In the light truck segment registrations for the whole of 2008 fell by 4.0 percent in Europe*, mainly because of the 21.1 percent decrease in the new EU Member States. In Western Europe, registrations leveled 2007 (-0.5 percent). On the major markets, the best results were posted by France (+9.6 percent) and the UK (+13.1 percent). Spain performed the worst (-29.4 percent). The Italian (-3.7 percent) and the German (-1.1 percent) markets decreased as well.

For buses and coaches the overall market grew in 2008 (+12.1 percent). Growth was posted both in Western Europe (+6.6 percent) and in the new EU Member States (+58.7 percent).

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Press release from ACEA