Figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association show that the commercial vehicle market rose 6.1% in the EU last month, with 160,038 units registered. The figure was helped by on average one more working day across the region.

Looking at the major markets, the French (-1.8%) and the Italian (-3.5%) shrank, in comparison with September 2012, while the German grew by 4.2% and the UK (+12.5%) and Spanish (+25.4%) posted a double-digit upturn.

However, three quarters into the year, demand for new commercial vehicles was down 4.0% in the EU with 1,230,188 new registrations. Spain (+1.8%) and the UK (+7.9%) recorded more vehicles than in the same period last year, while Germany (-6.9%), France (-7.0%) and Italy (-16.2%) saw their markets decline.

For the new Light Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5t – “vans” – sector, registrations in September rose 5.6% to 130,789 units. Italy (-1.5%) and France (-3.1%) performed less well than in the same month last year, while Germany (+4.3%), the UK (+10.3%) and Spain (+29.1%) registered more vehicles.

From January to September, the new vans market shrank by 3.4%, totalling 1,004,479 units in the EU. Results were diverse across countries. France (-6.9%) and Germany (-6.4%) performed similarly, while Italy (-16.3%) recorded a sharper downturn. Spain (+4.0%) and the UK (+9.6%) fared better than in the first nine months of 2012.

Looking at the sector of new Heavy Commercial Vehicles over 16t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – “heavy trucks” – registrations grew by 8.7% in September to 20,114 units. Most markets expanded, from +3.7% in Germany to +7.0% in France, +11.0% in Spain and +40.2% in the UK. Italy was the only major market to shrink (-24.1%).

Nine months into the year, the region posted an overall 6.1% decrease, with 151,817 new heavy trucks registered in the period. The UK was the only country to post growth (+6.1%), as downturn ranged from -8.4% in France to -8.9% in Germany, -12.1% in Spain and -14.1% in Italy.

For new Commercial Vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) – “trucks” – September saw 26,058 new trucks registered; 7.6% more than in the same month last year. Italy was the only significant market to contract, as growth ranged from +2.5% in Germany to +7.0% in France, +12.1% in Spain and +32.0% in the UK.

From January to September, 202,239 new trucks were registered; 6.8% less than in the first nine months of 2012. Most major markets declined, from -8.6% in Germany to -9.5% in France, -11.7% in Spain and -17.3% in Italy. The UK stood out with a 1.5% expansion of its market.