Latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, the ACEA, show that total registrations last month numbered 152,744 units. Only the light commercial vehicle and bus and coach segments saw an increase last month, while truck and heavy truck sectors recorded a significant drop in sales. Spain (+13.3%), Italy (+6.5%) and the UK (+4.0%) contributed positively, while Germany (-9.1%) and France (-2.9%) performed less well than in the same month last year. Substantial declines posted by the new EU member states (-6.8%) partially explain last month’s negative outcome.

For the year to date, 1,682,444 new commercial vehicles were registered, or 8.8% more than in the same period last year. Looking at the largest markets, France remained stable (-0.7%), while Germany expanded (+5.9%). The UK (+12.9%), Italy (+16.0%) and Spain (+31.4%) posted double-digit growth.

Looking at new light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t – or vans – new registrations last month 127,196 units, more than in the same month last year (+4.8%), marking the 15th consecutive month of growth in this segment, which accounts for the majority of sales in the commercial vehicle market. The UK (+17.1%), Spain (+14.6%) and Italy (+8.3%) contributed positively to the upturn, while Germany (-8.6%), France (-0.9%) performed less well than in 2013.

From January to November, the EU market for vans increased (+10.9%), compared to the first 11 months of 2013, mainly driven by the generalised growth seen in all major markets in recent months. Eleven months into the year, new van registrations totalled 1,394,092 units, representing more than 82% of total new commercial vehicle registrations.

For new heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding buses and coaches) – heavy trucks – the November results showed a significant decrease in registrations (-20.7%), especially when compared with the exceptional growth recorded in the same month last year due to the anticipated implementation of the Euro VI standards in January 2014. Spain was the only major market to sustain demand (+4.6%). Elsewhere, downturns occurred in Italy (-4.7%), Germany (-11.8%), France (-12.9%) and the UK (-47.7%).

Over 11 months, the region registered more vehicles (+1.5%) than in the same period last year and counted 201,406 new heavy trucks. Looking at the major markets the results were diverse. France (-10.1%) and the UK (-14.8%) performed less well than in the same period last year, while the Italian (+10.8%), German (+12%) and especially Spanish (+27.2%) markets expanded.

For new commercial vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses and coaches) – trucks – the November results were similar to the heavy truck segment, with most of the major markets facing a downturn, and only Spain posting growth (+7.7%). Overall, there was a substantial contraction (-21.6%) across the region as a whole.

From January to November, a total of 258,342 new trucks were registered in the EU. France (-11.3%) and the UK (-15%) faced a downturn, while demand was up in Italy (+4.8%), Germany (+4.2%) and especially Spain (+25.1%), leading to a stable situation in the region as a whole (-1.1%).