Commercial vehicle registrations: +11.6% over five months; +6.0% in May

Total new Commercial Vehicles

In May 2015, demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased (+6.0%) 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%) and France (-5.6%) facing a downturn, while Spain (+30.1%) and the UK (+17.4%) posted double‐digit growth.

Five months into the year, the EU market expanded (+11.6%), totalling 832,782 commercial vehicles. During the same period, Spain (+34.1%), the UK (+22.6%) Italy (+7.5%) and Germany (+3.4%) all posted growth, while France recorded a slight decline (-1.0%).

New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – vans

In May 2015, new registrations of light commercial vehicles totalled 131,883 units, up (+4.3%) compared to May 2014. This marked the twenty-first consecutive month of growth in this segment. Spain (+24.3%), the UK (+15.1%), Italy (+3.0%) contributed positively to the upturn, while new van registrations fell in France (-8.5%) and Germany (-10.0%).

From January to May 2015, 690,803 new vans were registered in the EU (+11.4%). Spain (+33.5%), the UK (+20.7%), Italy (+7.1%) and Germany (+6.1%) saw their demand for vans increase over this period, while France recorded a slight decline (‐1.5%).

New Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding Heavy Buses & Coaches) – heavy trucks

May 2015 results showed an increase in new heavy truck registrations (+20.6%), totalling 20,597 units. Spain (+92.0%) largely contributed to this positive outcome, sustained by the government “PIMA Transporte” program to incentivise the purchase of commercial vehicles, followed by the UK (+37.8%), France (+28.0%) and Italy (+23.4%) which also posted double-digit growth.

Five months into the year, the EU market grew (+17.8%), reaching 102,682 units. The UK (+62.6%), Spain (+37.2%), Italy (+14.3%) and France (+4.4%) saw their demand for heavy trucks increase, while the German market remained stable (+0.8%).

New Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – trucks

In May 2015, 25,760 new trucks were registered in the EU, up (+16.1%) compared to May 2014. Among major markets Spain (+89.6%), the UK (+35.9%), France (+25.9%) and Italy (+14.2%) posted double-digit growth, while Germany (-6.8%) performed less well than in May 2014.

From January to May 2015, results for trucks were diverse, with Germany (-2.9%) performing less well than in the same period last year, while the UK (+44.5%) Spain (+34.0%) and Italy (+10.7%) recorded significant increases. Overall, the EU registered 126,876 new trucks (+12.8%).

New Buses & Coaches over 3.5t

In May 2015, new bus and coach registrations increased (+3.8%) compared to May 2014, totalling 2,907 units. Spain (+68.7%), the UK (+26.4%) and France (+14.4%) mainly contributed to this positive result, while Germany (-10.5%) and Italy (-34.5%) performed less well than in May 2014.

From January to May 2015, the EU market increased (+14.4%), totalling 15,103 new buses and coaches. Demand was primarily driven by Spain (+73.1%) and the UK (+17.7%), followed by Italy (+10.5%) and France (10.3%). Noteworthy was the contribution of Sweden (+103.9%) over this period.