Commercial vehicle registrations: +11.8% over eight months; +8.7% in August

Total new commercial vehicles

In August 2015, demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased (+8.7%) for the eighth consecutive month, totalling 113,865 units. Growth was sustained across all commercial vehicle segments. Southern European markets confirmed the positive momentum, with Spain (+43.6%) and Italy (+21.2%) posting double-digit percentage gains, followed by the UK (+15.8%), while France remained stable (+0.2%) and Germany (-8.7%) saw its demand for commercial vehicles decrease.

Over eight months in 2015, the EU market expanded (+11.8%), totalling 1,308,788 commercial vehicles. During the same period, Spain (+37.0%), the UK (+19.0%), Italy (+10.3%), Germany (+2.4%) and France (+0.8%) all posted growth.

New light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t – vans

In August 2015, new registrations of light commercial vehicles totalled 90,675 units, up (+7.0%) compared to August 2014. This marked two consecutive years of growth in this segment. Spain (+43.3%), Italy (+20.5%) and the UK (+14.3%) positively contributed to the upturn, while Germany (-12.6%) and France (-1.1%) performed less well than in August 2014.

From January to August 2015, more than 1 million (1,079,131) new vans were registered in the EU (+10.8%). Spain (+35.5%), the UK (+16.8%), Italy (+9.0%) and Germany (+2.8%) saw their demand for vans increase over this period, while France remained stable (-0.3%).

New heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding heavy buses & coaches) – heavy trucks

August 2015 results show an increase in new heavy truck registrations (+19.0%), totalling 15,496 units. Spain (+67.3%), still benefiting from the government incentive programme, largely contributed to this positive outcome, followed by Italy (+25.2%), the UK (+17.3%) and France (+10.5%) which all posted double-digit growth.

Eight months into the year, the EU market grew (+20.7%), reaching 163,364 units. Spain (+52.9%), the UK (+48.8%), Italy (+24.0%), France (+10.0%) and Germany (+3.6%) saw their demand for heavy trucks increase, contributing to the overall upturn of the EU market over the period.

New medium & heavy commercial vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses & coaches) – trucks

In August 2015, 19,861 new trucks were registered in the EU, up (+14.7%) compared to August 2014. All major markets supported the overall expansion, with Spain (+59.5%), Italy (+24.6%), the UK (+15.0%), France (+6.8%) and Germany (+0.6%) posting growth.

From January to August 2015, 204,679 new trucks (+16.6%) were registered in the EU. In particular, Spain (+49.3%), the UK (+38.4%) and Italy (+20.4%) recorded significant increases over the period, followed by France (+7.7%) and Germany (+1.0%) which reported a more modest growth.

New buses & coaches over 3.5t                     

In August 2015, new bus and coach registrations increased (+23.1%) compared to August 2014, totalling 3,329 units. The UK (+117.5%), Germany (+28.6%), Italy (+19.9%) and France (+13.3%) positively contributed to the overall expansion, while Spain (-54.3%) performed less well than in August 2014.

Over eight months in 2015, the EU market increased (+16.5%), totalling 24,978 new buses and coaches. Demand was primarily driven by Spain (+42.3%) and the UK (+25.9%), followed by France (+18.7%) and Italy (+15.1%).