"It is encouraging that new truck and van sales increased in May with the overall market up 10 per cent in comparison to the same month last year” said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures. Robinson continued "Van sales improved in May, for the first time in 2012, up 6.7 per cent.
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.
On 27 March the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, or ACEA, released its figures for commercial vehicle registrations during the month of February. These show demand for new commercial vehicles to be weaker in all major markets, with EU registrations declining 11.3 per cent year-on-year. The major market downturn ranged from 3.2 per cent in France to 29.9 per cent in Italy; the UK experienced a 16.6 per cent decline in total new commercial vehicle registrations. In total, 126,010 new commercial vehicles were registered in the European Union during February 2012, while UK registrations came to 11,102.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on the UK government to freeze fuel duty to relieve immediate financial pressure on businesses, fleet operators, hauliers and motorists. According to the Society the duty rise planned for April this year threatens industry, businesses and consumer confidence at a crucial and fragile point in the UK's economic recovery.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that the upturn in van registrations of recent months continued in October, with 18,147 new registrations making a 22.4 per cent increase on September’s figures. Truck registrations recorded a spectacular-sounding 79.9 per cent rise on September, though that month was represented by the lowest figures in recent memory. 3,158 new trucks were registered.
The European Automotive Manufacturers’ Association has confirmed what we already knew – last year commercial vehicle registrations plummeted. According to ACEA figures, new registrations of commercial vehicles was down 32.4 per cent compared with 2008, and this downturn affected all segments and all countries represented by the organisation. In total, 1,706,996 vehicles were registered throughout the year.
The new vehicle market for classes 3-8 vehicles is expected to grow to 723,000 by 2012, according to a new report from R. L. Polk & Co. Polk’s new Forecast of Commercial Vehicle Activity for North America which provides insight into the class 3-8 commercial vehicle market through 2012. “Available to customers now, Polk’s unique offering provides an econometric-based model, allowing customers to maximize their sales opportunities by better understanding the North American market for commercial vehicles,” the company said.
“Polk’s new offering for the North American commercial vehicle market enables us to expand our capabilities and provide increased value and benefit to our customers,” said Gary Meteer, account director for Polk’s Commercial Vehicle Group. “We are confident this new data offering will provide significant insight for customers as they analyze business opportunities in North America’s commercial vehicle industry and plan for the future.” (Tire Review/Akron)
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the ACEA, has released their figures for the number of commercial vehicles first registered within the European Union and within the UK during 2006. The figures showed a general trend towards slow or negative growth in the UK market with a solitary exception.
Commercial vehicle registrations are “on track,” according to SMMT statistics that have recorded 394,738 registrations for the rolling year to September. Last month’s figures were slightly down at 0.6 per cent, but the year to date is up by 1.6 per cent.
Commercial vehicle registrations hit an all time high last year with a record level of 389, 923 units, a figure that was up some 9.5 per cent. The SMMT also recorded the highest ever December CV registrations at 28,470.
According to the society growth remained concentrated in LCVs, particularly medium vans. 24,021 light commercial vehicles were registered in December, with a total of 329,599 units recorded for the year.
Commercial vehicle registrations hit a record level in September with the highest monthly volume for 15 years. The rolling yearly total was 381,388 and September’s 52,230 registrations were up 8.4 per cent on last year’s corresponding figure.
The SMMT also claims that there was high demand for heavy vans. The society’s chief executive, Christopher Macgowan said: “September is a vital month in the registration calendar and the figures confirm strong demand. We expect demand to hold at similar levels over the coming months, but growth next year may ease as interest rate rises hit more consumer and business markets.”
The SMMT has announced record commercial vehicle registrations for August. The rolling year total is 377,345, a record level measured against the 363,687 annual total in 2003. However it’s not all good news, August’s 18,199 registrations were down 5.5 per cent compared with the same period in 2003. There was also a small volume drop across most market sectors with this month’s bus and coach registrations down 17 per cent.
The society claims that year to date CV registration figures confirm record business demand for freight transport, in which the heavy van sector is still driving the figures. These figures follow “a big change in van and truck use patterns and the CV fleet over the past four years.”
Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said: “August’s figures confirm record breaking demand for new commercial vehicles. August saw a pause in the recent long-running growth trend, but its impact was small.” He added: “We shouldn’t read too much about future trends from August’s results as the registration plate change in September means many operators wait for the new plate and its effect on residual values. This is illustrated by the fact that September CV registrations are now about 2½ times those of August.”
As well as bus registrations decreasing August’s truck registrations were also down 4.3 per cent, with the rolling year figure at 55,768. According to the SMMT annual truck registrations are still holding close to 56,000, though August saw some “very modest slippage.” For trucks over 15t gvw registrations dipped 10.8 per cent and for those up to 15t gvw there was growth of 6.0 per cent.
In summary the SMMT believes that the near term outlook is positive, but it predicts slower growth ahead.
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