EU truck sales rise over Summer

ERJ staff report (DS)

Brussels -- New registrations of commercial vehicles in the EU were up 3.0 percent in July and 15.7 percent in August, leading to an 8.3 percent increase over the two summer months compared to the same period last year, according to new data from the Association of European vehicle makers (ACEA).

From January to August, a total of 1,2611,244 new commercial vehicles were registered across the region, or 12.1 percent more than in the first eight months of 2010. Most major markets posted growth, ranging from 6.4 percent in France to 21.1 percent in the UK and 23.3 percent in Germany. Spain was the only one to contract (-6.3 percent).

Heavy trucks posted the strongest growth across segments in July (+29.4 percent), accounting for a total of 18,630 new vehicles in the EU. Spain (+10.0 percent), Germany (+14.1 percent), France (+39.9) and the UK (+46.3 percent) all experienced a double-digit growth. In August, the upturn was still strong in Germany (+18.6 percent), the UK (+32.4 percent) and France (41.7 percent). The Spanish market proved to be stable (-0.6 percent).

From January to August, new truck registrations rose by 49.4 percent in the EU, as the UK (+57.8 percent), France (+57.5 percent), Germany (+35.3 percent) and Spain (+28.9 percent) all saw their markets expand.

In July, new registrations of vans amounted to 114,947 units, or 0.4 percent less than in the same month last year. Of the major markets, Germany was the only one to expand (+20.9 percent). France (-12.0 percent), Spain (-3.3 percent) and the UK (-0.8 percent) performed less well than a year ago. In August, growth prevailed in all significant markets, ranging from 5.4 percent in France to 12.6 percent in Spain, 22.8 percent in the UK and 25.3 percent in Germany.

Overall, the EU recorded 14.4 percent more vans than in August 2010. Eight months into the year, a total of 1,034,168 new vans was registered in the region, or 8.3 percent more than in the same period last year. While the Spanish market shrank (-10.4 percent), the French (+3.0 percent), the German (+20.6 percent) and the British (+20.9 percent) all grew.

Demand for mmid-sized trucks in July was up 22.4 percent across the EU. Growth rates in the major markets ranged from 5.8 percent in Spain to 13.0 percent in Germany, 35.2 percent in France and 38.4 percent in the UK. In August, new truck registrations increased by 23.5 percent, reflecting the upturn in Germany (+15.6 percent), the UK (+29.1 percent) and France (+38.9 percent). The Spanish market remained stable (-0.5 percent).

From January to August, 205,082 new trucks were registered in the EU, or 38.6 percent more than in the same period last year. With the exception of Greece (-60.3 percent), all markets expanded. Demand for trucks rose by 27.3 percent in Spain, 31.3 percent in Germany, 35.9 percent in the UK and 48.8 percent in France.

After a 3.8 percent drop in July, new bus and coach registrations increased by 4.8 percent in August. France remained the largest market throughout both months and saw its market grow by 7.4 percent in July and 23.4 percent in August.

Eight months into the year, the segment of buses and coaches was the only one to decline (-1.5 percent), totaling 21,994 units. Looking at the major markets, Germany (+1.2 percent), France (+4.5 percent) and Spain (+38.7 percent) performed better than in the same period last year. Results in the UK were negative (-26.8 percent).

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Press release from ACEA