New registrations of commercial vehicles in the EU* were up 3.0% in July** and 15.7% in August, leading to an 8.3% increase** over the two summer months compared to the same period last year. From January to August, a total of 1,2611,244 new commercial vehicles were registered across the region**, or 12.1% more than in the first eight months of 2010. Most major markets posted growth, ranging from 6.4% in France to 21.1% in the UK and 23.3% in Germany. Spain was the only one to contract (-6.3%).
New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – "vans"
In July, new registrations of vans amounted to 114,947 units, or 0.4% less than in the same month last year**. Of the major markets, Germany was the only one to expand (+20.9%). France (-12.0%), Spain (-3.3%) and the UK (-0.8%) performed less well than a year ago. In August, growth prevailed in all significant markets, ranging from 5.4% in France to 12.6% in Spain, 22.8% in the UK and 25.3% in Germany. Overall, the EU recorded 14.4% 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% more than in the same period last year**. While the Spanish market shrank
(-10.4%), the French (+3.0%), the German (+20.6%) and the British (+20.9%) all grew.
New Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – "heavy trucks"
Heavy trucks posted the strongest growth across segments in July (+29.4%), accounting for a total of 18,630 new vehicles** in the EU*. Spain (+10.0%), Germany (+14.1%), France (+39.9) and the UK (+46.3%) all experienced a double-digit growth. In August, the upturn was still strong in Germany (+18.6%), the UK (+32.4%) and France (41.7%). The Spanish market proved to be stable (-0.6%). From January to August, new truck registrations rose by 49.4%** in the EU*, as the UK (+57.8%), France (+57.5%), Germany (+35.3%) and Spain (+28.9%) all saw their markets expand.
New Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – "trucks"
Demand for trucks in July was up 22.4%** across the EU*. Growth rates in the major markets ranged from 5.8% in Spain to 13.0% in Germany, 35.2% in France and 38.4% in the UK. In August, new truck registrations increased by 23.5%, reflecting the upturn in Germany (+15.6%), the UK (+29.1%) and France (+38.9%). The Spanish market remained stable (-0.5%). From January to August, 205,082 new trucks were registered** in the EU*, or 38.6% more than in the same period last year. With the exception of Greece (-60.3%), all markets expanded. Demand for trucks rose by 27.3% in Spain, 31.3% in Germany, 35.9% in the UK and 48.8% in France.
New Buses & Coaches over 3.5t
After a 3.8% drop in July**, new bus and coach registrations increased by 4.8% in August**. France remained the largest market throughout both months and saw its market grow by 7.4% in July and 23.4% in August. Eight months into the year, the segment of buses and coaches was the only one to decline (-1.5%), totaling 21,994 units. Looking at the major markets, Germany (+1.2%), France (+4.5%) and Spain (+38.7%) performed better than in the same period last year. Results in the UK were negative (-26.8%).
