April 2017’s CV Show looks set to mark an important event in the tyre business year, with a strong showing for the industry reflecting both the resilience shown in the UK commercial vehicle sector in 2016 and the potential opportunities offered by the coming period of political change. SMMT registration figures reveal that 2016 was a better year than might have been expected in the haulage and people transportation segments.
The introduction of Euro VI vehicles has naturally led to evolution in the tyre sector. As one of the premium brands responsible for original equipment supply to large HGV manufacturers, such as Volvo, Mercedes, Man, Scania, and Renault, Bridgestone’s newest products have been developed to take Euro VI into account, made to withstand higher front axle loads of the more fuel efficient vehicles. “Our new highway, regional, and on/off specifications have been developed with a higher load index to support these new vehicle designs,” Bridgestone UK technical / field engineering manager – north region, Gary Powell explains.
Registrations of new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) rose 5.3 per cent to 46,231 units in 2016, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This is the sector’s third consecutive year of growth. The year ended on a positive note, with 13,555 new HGVs registered in the fourth quarter – a 2.3 per cent improvement on the same period in 2015.
Figures released by the SMMT show that the new heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market declined -3.6 per cent in the third quarter of 2016, with 11,242 units registered. The fall in demand follows five consecutive quarters of growth, and year-to-date the market remains strong, with registrations up 6.6 per cent against the same period in 2016.
Light commercial vehicles’ sales rose 6.3 per cent compared to last year with 15,385 vans and light trucks registered, the latest SMMT commercial vehicle registration figures show. The most significant increase came from mid to large size vans, which grew by over 14 per cent. ‘Pick-ups’ and 4×4 trucks showed a minor growth, while sub 2.0t car-derived vans, often used by self-employed tradespeople, declined -5.2 per cent.
Overall light commercial vehicle demand was up 2.7 per cent in June with 36,700 units registered. New van market reached record levels in the first six months of 2016, increasing by 3.0 per cent compared to last year, to 191,996 units.
Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased for the 15th month in a row in March, reports the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Across the entire EU, new commercial vehicle registrations of all types rose 8.0 per cent to 242,049 units. Generally speaking, the highest rates of growth were recorded in the EU12 countries, where registrations were up an average of 15.9 per cent during the month.
The latest figures from the SMMT show that commercial vehicle (CV) registrations once again posted a healthy rise in September.
Demand for new commercial vehicles rose across the European Union for the eighth consecutive month in August, reports the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). A total of 113,865 new registrations were recorded, a year-on-year increase of 8.7 per cent.
Demand for commercial vehicles has increased in August, with overall new registrations rising 15.3 per cent, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders states. In the year to date, demand has risen 19.0 per cent to 255,849 units, with truck demand in particular rising (38.3 per cent up to 49,890 in 2015). Growth in August for the truck sector saw registrations up 20.2 per cent.
Britain’s commercial vehicle manufacturing industry continued its strong recovery in July, with production volumes up 46.3 per cent over the same month last year. A total of 9,274 CVs were built in the month, with output for the UK market posting an especially strong gain of 137.6 per cent.
The recent sustained growth in new commercial vehicle registrations in the UK should continue for at least the rest of 2015, according to the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA). Sue Robinson, the association’s director, said she is “encouraged by the continued growth”, commenting on figures published by ACEA. The NFDA represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK.
Matching the record-setting pace of car registrations in the country, June registration figures of 35,742 vans and 4,568 trucks helped commercial vehicle registrations reach record half-year total of 209,515, says the SMMT.
Figures published by ACEA show that, in May 2015, demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased (+6.0 per cent) for the fifth consecutive month, totalling 160,550 units. Growth was sustained across all commercial vehicle segments. Results were diverse among the major markets, with Germany (-9.1 per cent) and France (-5.6 per cent) facing a downturn, while Spain (+30.1 per cent) and the UK (+17.4 per cent) posted double‐digit growth.
Commercial vehicle registrations rose 17.4 per cent in May to 31,922 units, according to the SMMT. This was the fifth consecutive monthly uplift for truck market, while vans hit a 150,000 registrations record.
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