Downturn continues for EU commercial vehicle registrations

In April, new CV registrations fell by 1.2 per cent in France, 1.6 per cent in Germany, 13.3 per cent in the UK, 28.9 per cent in Spain and 38.6 per cent in Italy. Four months into the year, downturn continued its course (-10.1 per cent) as all major markets shrank. France remained the largest market, despite a 4.7 per cent contraction, followed by Germany (-1.2 per cent) and the UK (-9.8 per cent). Spain (-24.1 per cent) and Italy (-36.7 per cent) recorded more severe drops. In total, 589,987 vehicles were registered throughout the period.

Also in April, the segment of vans (up to 3.5 t) recorded the largest decrease (-13.3 per cent), with a total of 110,573 units. While the French market remained stable (-0.5 per cent) and the German slipped by 1.9 per cent, the British (-19.8 per cent), Spanish (-30.4 per cent) and Italian (-38.3 per cent) faced a double-digit downturn. From January to April, the EU registered 479,456 new vans, or 11.7 per cent less than in the same period a year ago. Looking at the major markets, downturn ranged from 0.4 per cent in Germany to 5.2 per cent in France, 15.7 per cent in the UK, 23.8 per cent in Spain and 37.8 per cent in Italy.

For Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding Buses & Coaches), figures for April showed that 18,930 new heavy trucks were registered, or 7.0 per cent less than in the same month last year. Performances varied across countries as Germany (+3.5 per cent) and the UK (+11.8 per cent) posted growth, whereas France (-6.8 per cent), Spain (-13.6 per cent) and Italy (-41.1 per cent) saw their demand decline. Four months into the year, new heavy truck registrations were down 4.2 per cent, amounting to 75,189 units. The largest markets, Germany (-1.2 per cent) and France (-1.4 per cent) contracted the least. Spain (-19.9 per cent) and Italy (-23.8 per cent) experienced more considerable downturns, while the UK was the only market to post growth (+14.7 per cent). 

New Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) showed varied results for April, as Italy (-44.4 per cent), Spain (-13.9 per cent) and France (-5.8 per cent) performed less well than last year, while the German market remained stable and the British expanded (+17.2 per cent). In total, 25,447 new trucks were registered, or 6.9 per cent less than in April 2011. Cumulative results from January to April were also contrasted, leading to an overall 3.6 per cent decline in the EU which totalled 100,133 new trucks.  The French market stayed unchanged, while the German slightly declined (-3.2 per cent) although remaining the largest. Spain (-21.4 per cent) and Italy (-28.3 per cent) contracted more sharply.

New Buses & Coaches over 3.5t was the only segment to record somewhat positive results in April (+0.6 per cent), mainly driven by the British market (+13.3 per cent). From January to April, it posted a strong 52.1 per cent upturn, while all others declined, except for the German (+6.7 per cent). Both markets contributed to sustaining demand, leading to an overall 4.9 per cent growth of the segment which totalled 10,398 units.