Demand for commercial vehicles in EU increased for the 15th month
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Growth was sustained across all segments of commercial vehicles. Looking at the largest markets, Italy recorded the highest upturn (+29.3%), while France (+6.4%), the UK (+3.2%) and Germany (+2.6%) showed more modest rates of growth. The Spanish market (-0.6%) saw a slight decline after a period of strong growth.
In the first quarter of the year, the EU market expanded by 12.1%, totalling 563,132 commercial vehicles. During the same period, Italy (+27.9%), Spain (+10.6%), France (+10.2%), Germany (+9.2%) and the UK (+2.2%) all posted growth.
In March 2016, new registrations of light commercial vehicles totalled 204,157 units, or 7.6% more than in March 2015. This marked the 31st consecutive month of growth in the segment, which accounts for the majority of sales in the commercial vehicle market. Italy (+32.1%), France (+5.0%), the UK (+3.3%) and Germany (+3.0%) contributed positively to the upturn, while Spain (-1.3%) performed less well than last year.
From January to March 2016, 466,839 new vans were registered in the EU or 11.3% more than in the same period last year. All major markets saw their demand for vans increase during the first quarter of the year.
March 2016 results showed again a double-digit increase (+12.2%) in the heavy truck segment, which totalled 27,831 new registrations. This positive outcome was largely sustained by the significant growth recorded in Italy (+25.2%), France (+18.6%) and Spain (+9.3%).
Noteworthy was the contribution of the new EU member states, especially Poland (+46.3%) and the Netherlands (+30.3%), to last month’s positive outcome.
Three months into the year, the EU market grew by 18.0%, reaching 71,501 units. All major markets saw their demand for heavy trucks increase: Spain (+22.1%), Italy (+19.1%), France (+16.9%), the UK (+13.5%) and Germany (+8.0%).
In March 2016, new buses and coaches registrations increased (+2.0%) compared to March 2015, totalling 3,800 units. Growth was mainly sustained by the French (+12.7%) and German (+10.5%) markets, while the UK (-2.9%), Spain (-20.4%) and Italy (-39.3%) performed less well than in March 2015.
In the first quarter of 2016, the EU bus and coach market increased by 3.7%, reaching 9,031 units. Demand declined in the UK (-13.2%) and Italian (-12.7%) markets, while new buses and coaches registrations increased in Germany (+12.7%), France (+11.6%) and Spain (+5.6%). ■