Latest data from European Automobile Manufacturers' Association the ACEA shows that full-year registrations totalled 1,711,843 units. Figures were up in Spain (+9.7%) and the UK (+14.5%) while Germany (-2.0%), France (-3.7%) and Italy (-11.7%) all recorded downturns.

Particularly positive growth was seen in December, with registrations up 34.7% to 169,744 units. Growth was sustained across all segments. All major markets recorded positive results ranging from +16.6% in France to +16.8% in Italy, +27.0% in Germany, +52.9% in Spain and +66.0% in the UK.

Looking at new light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t – or "vans" – a total of 1,374,518 units were registered in the EU last year, down 0.2%. Germany (-3.1%), France (-4.3%) and Italy (-12.5%) saw their market contract, while Spain (+11.1%) and the UK (+13.1%) posted growth. 

In December, the sector grew 18.2% to 122,263 units, boosted by all major markets. The German expanded by 7.2%, the Italian 9.2%, the French 11.7%, the UK 32.5% and the Spanish 45.3%.

For new heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding buses & coaches) – "heavy trucks" – from January to December, the EU registered 231,662 units, 8.6% more than in 2012. The German (+0.2%) and French (+0.4%) markets remained quite stable, while the Italian shrank by 3.0%. The Spanish (+4.9%), Dutch (+12.5%), Polish (+19.1%) and UK (+31.1%) all posted growth. 

December results showed a 135.9% increase in new heavy truck registrations, due to the expected implementation of the Euro6 standards in January 2014. In total, 33,573 new vehicles were registered in the month. The UK was the largest market (8,125 units), followed by Germany (6,269 units), France (4,454 units), the Netherlands (2,817 units), Poland (2,282 units), Spain (1,274 units) and Italy (1,272 units).

Looking at new commercial vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses & coaches) – "trucks" – 2013 new truck registrations amounted to 304,333 units, or 6.5% more than in the previous year. Germany (-0.2%), France (-1.6%) and Italy (-8.3%) faced a downturn, while growth prevailed in Spain (+2.4%), the Netherlands (+13.9%), Poland (+20.0%) and the UK (+25.2%). 

December truck registrations were boosted by the anticipation effect of the Euro6 standards, which led to a 124.2% rise to 43,274 units, most of which were in the UK (11,050 units). Germany ranked second (9,949 units), followed by France (5,130 units). The Netherlands registered 3,183 new trucks and Poland 2,958, while Italy (1,498 units) and Spain (1,483 units) were on par.