Commercial vehicle registrations: +4.7% in January 2014

In January, demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased for the fifth consecutive month. Total commercial vehicle registrations grew by 4.7%, totalling 132,503 units. Growth was sustained across the van, truck and heavy truck segments, while the market for new buses and coaches contracted. Out of the most significant markets, Spain recorded the highest upturn (+44.9%). Italy also posted double-digit growth (+12.2%), while demand in the UK (+5.3%) and Germany (+3.0) also increased. France was the only major market recording a decline (-5.1%).

New Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – ‘vans’

In January, the segment of vans grew 5.3% to 109,019 units. This increase was boosted by growth in Spain (+48.9%), the UK (+12.9%), Italy (+10.0%) and Germany (+5.0%). However, France saw its demand for vans decline (-7.6%).

New Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding buses and coaches) – ‘heavy trucks’

January results showed a 9.8% increase in new heavy truck registrations, totalling 17,079 units. Germany was the largest market (3,622 units), posting an 8.9% growth. France, the second largest market in January, also saw its demand increase by 17.4%, reaching 3569 units. Out of the major markets, Spain (+55%), posted the highest upturn, followed by Italy (+31.4%) and Poland (23.4%), all recording double-digit growth. At the same time, the UK market declined by 41.8%.

New Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses and coaches) – ‘trucks’

January results showed a 3.2% increase in new truck registrations, totalling 21,040 units. Despite a moderate decline in Germany (-1.2%), it remained the largest market in the month of January in terms of volumes, registering 5,170 trucks. France, the second largest market in the same period (4,116 units), posted double-digit growth (+12.5%). Spain (+43%), Italy (+27.3%), Belgium (+26.1%) and Poland (+21.6%) also saw their demand increase. Truck registrations in the UK market fell by 38.3%.

New buses and coaches over 3.5t

In January, demand for new buses and coaches declined by 8.8%, dropping to 2,444 units. France (491 units) was the largest market in the month of January, posting a 16.1% increase in registrations. The UK (425 units) was the second largest market despite demand falling by 4.3%. In the same period, the market in Germany contracted by 11.1%, totalling 375 units. Italy recorded an 11.5% growth, reaching 282 units. At the same time, Spain saw its market for buses and coaches decline by 34%, dropping to 136 units.