The data for the markets, which covers commercial registrations without manufacturers, dealerships and Rent-A-Cars, shows an overall increase of 14.0% last month compared to March 2014. In all five markets the volume was significantly higher than in the previous year and in four out the five countries the results for True Fleets were better than the Private Market’s performance. The only exception was Spain with a Private Market growth of 37.1% thanks to the ongoing scrappage scheme.

In France, the March figures represent a major step forwards on the slight growth seen in January and February, with last month up 20.8% and representing the biggest volume since October 2011. All Top-10 brands raised their volumes. French brands Renault, Peugeot and Citroen still dominate the market, representing some 54% of all fleet registrations. The most impressive percentage growth rates within the Top-10 were seen by Mercedes (+47.7%), Toyota (+45.2%) and Nissan (+40.4%).

In Germany the True Fleets achieved a double-digit growth rate (+12.4%). This rise is based on a solid basis: 16 out of the Top-20 brands in March increased their registrations over March 2014. In addition the absolute volume in March was the highest ever recorded by the German fleet market. The Private Market however is still struggling. Its share in Q1/2015 was almost exactly the same as in Q4/2014 with only 33.7% of the Total Market.

For Italy, the volume of registrations on True Fleets in March was the second highest value ever and its share even reached an all-time record with 20.6%! Fiat was performing very strong: registrations for the market leader increased by 59.3%. Peugeot scored an impressive result as well with a growth of 97.1% and rank number four behind Fiat, Volkswagen and Mercedes. Outside the Top-10 Nissan (#11, + 200.6%) and Jeep (#13, + 506.3%) showed impressive results.

Meanwhile Spain reported a formidable rate of growth (+33.4%) for the True Fleet Market and scored the highest volume in absolute figures since July 2008. The rental business was strong as well, achieving the highest volume in eight years.

Within the fleet sector Nissan saw impressive growth in March (+93.5%) taking the lead for the first time ever and reaching exactly the same amount of new car registrations as Renault. Meanwhile Nissan’s Qashqai was number one in the model ranking. Due to the success of Qashqai, Juke, X-Trail and many competitors SUV became the strongest vehicle segment in March. Beside Nissan, Volkswagen (+69.3%, climbing from sixth to third place in the ranking) and Ford (+74.1%, from ninth to fourth position) showed a strong performance as well.

Finally, despite the strong performance seen by the UK Fleet Market in March 2014, the sector still out-performed last year’s volume by 8.8% this year, representing the highest March volume to date. Opel/Vauxhall (first) and Ford changed position as well as Volkswagen (third) and Nissan (fourth). Hyundai (+59.2%) and Honda (+40.1%) achieved a significant growth, both entering the Top-10 ranking.