European CV demand up for 5th consecutive month

Demand for new commercial vehicles within the European Union increased in January for the fifth consecutive month. Total commercial vehicle registrations grew by 4.7 per cent and totalled 132,503 units. Growth was sustained across the van, truck and heavy truck segments, while the market for new buses and coaches contracted. Out of the most significant markets, Spain recorded the highest upturn, with registrations rising 44.9 per cent year-on-year. Italy posted 12.2 per cent growth while demand in the UK rose 5.3 per cent despite a sharp year-on-year decline in truck and heavy truck registrations. Registrations in Germany rose 3.0 per cent. France was the only major market recording a decline, with registrations down 5.1 per cent year-on-year.

Vans – new light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t

In January, the van segment grew 5.3 per cent to 109,019 units. This increase was boosted by growth in Spain (+48.9 per cent), the UK (+12.9 per cent), Italy (+10.0 per cent) and Germany (+5.0 per cent). However, France saw its demand for vans decline (-7.6 per cent).

Trucks – new commercial vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses and coaches)

January results showed a 3.2 per cent increase in new truck registrations to 21,040 units. Despite a moderate decline in Germany (-1.2 per cent), it remained the largest market in the month of January in terms of volumes, registering 5,170 trucks. France, the second largest market in the same period (4,116 units), posted double-digit growth (+12.5 per cent). Spain (+43 per cent), Italy (+27.3 per cent), Belgium (+26.1 per cent) and Poland (+21.6 per cent) also saw their demand increase. Truck registrations in the UK market fell by 38.3 per cent.

New buses and coaches over 3.5t

In January, demand for new buses and coaches declined by 8.8 per cent, dropping to 2,444 units. France (491 units) was the largest market in the month of January, posting a 16.1 per cent increase in registrations. The UK (425 units) was the second largest market despite demand falling by 4.3 per cent. In the same period, the market in Germany contracted by 11.1 per cent to 375 units. Italy recorded an 11.5 per cent growth, reaching 282 units. At the same time, Spain saw its market for buses and coaches decline by 34 per cent, dropping to 136 units.

Heavy trucks – new heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding buses and coaches)

January’s results showed a 9.8 per cent increase in new heavy truck registrations to 17,079 units. At 3,622 units, Germany was the largest market and posted an 8.9 per cent growth. France, the second largest market in January, also saw its demand increase by 17.4 per cent, reaching 3,569 units. Out of the major markets, Spain (+55 per cent), posted the highest upturn, followed by Italy (+31.4 per cent) and Poland (23.4 per cent), all recording double-digit growth. At the same time, the UK market declined by 41.8 per cent.