Commercial vehicle registrations: +5.6% in first two months of 2017; +2.7% in February

Total new commercial vehicles

In February 2017, the EU market for new commercial vehicles continued to grow (+2.7%), totalling 164,788 units. Demand was mostly driven by the light commercial vehicle and bus segments. Spain (+12.8%) and Italy (+11.4%) posted the highest increases, while registrations declined slightly in the United Kingdom (-2.6%) and Germany (-0.3%).

During the first two months of the year, the European market expanded by 5.6%, counting 338,947 new commercial vehicles. Over the same period, both Spain (+18.0%) and Italy (+11.3%) posted double-digit growth, while France (+6.6%), Germany (+1.1%) and the UK (+0.8%) followed with more modest rates.

New light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5 tonnes

In February 2017, new registrations of light commercial vehicles totalled 136,136 units, or 3.2% more than in the same month last year. Results were diverse among the EU’s five big markets, with Spain (+14.9%) and Italy (+9.2%) posting growth but the UK (-4.3%) market performing less well than in February 2016.

From January to February 2017, 279,003 new vans were registered in the EU, up 6.2% compared to the same period in 2016. The United Kingdom (-1.0%) was the only major market posting a slight decline, while Spain (+22.4%), Italy (+7.2%), France (+7.1%) and Germany (+2.8%) all saw demand for vans increase.

New heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) over 16 tonnes

February 2017 results show a modest, yet positive, uplift in the heavy truck segment (+1.0%), with 21,531 new vehicles registered. Most of the major EU markets contributed to this growth, Italy did very well (+20.0%) though the UK (-4.2%) market faced a downturn.

Two months into the year, the EU market grew by 3.3%, reaching 45,111 units. Italy (+36.1%), the UK (+7.0%) and France (+6.9%) saw demand for heavy trucks increase, while registrations in Spain (-4.7%) and Germany (-1.3%) declined over the period.

New medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV) over 3.5 tonnes

In February 2017, truck registrations were largely similar to those in the heavy truck segment, with Italy posting the highest growth figures again (+20.6%). Overall, 26,165 new trucks were registered in the European Union, a more or less stable result (-0.1%) when compared to February 2016.

From January to February 2017, 54,456 new trucks were registered in the EU, 2.5% more than last year. The Italian (+37.5%), English (+10.5%) and French (+7.2%) markets all posted growth, although truck registrations declined in Spain (-5.0%) and Germany (-3.5%).

New medium and heavy buses & coaches (MHBC) over 3.5 tonnes              

The February 2017 results of the bus and coach segment were rather diverse. Demand fell in France (‐32.7%) and Spain (-2.9%), but at the same time Italy (+74.9%) and the United Kingdom (+37.7%) posted double‐digit growth. Overall, 2,487 new buses and coaches were registered across the region, up 6.2%.

Over the first two months of 2017, the EU bus and coach market grew by 3.1%, counting 5,488 vehicles registered. Demand only decreased in Spain (-6.4%) and France (-23.9%), while new bus and coach registrations increased in Italy (+59.3%), the UK (+13.1%) and Germany (+7.1%).