The figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) show that four of the five largest markets in the EU posted gains in January, Italy (+23.9%) and Spain (+21.0%) recorded the highest growth rates, while the truck and heavy truck segments saw significant growth.

For new light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5 tonnes, registrations totalled 130,040 units, or 11.0% more than in January 2015. This marked the 29th consecutive month of growth in the segment, which accounts for the majority of sales in the commercial vehicle market. Italy (+28.8%), Spain (+17.1%), France (+12.3%) and Germany (+11.8%) contributed positively to the upturn, while the UK (-4.3%) performed less well than in the same month last year.

January 2016 results also show a significant uplift in the heavy truck segment (+18.4%), which saw 21,989 new vehicles being registered. Most of the major EU markets contributed to this positive outcome, with Spain (+40.0%), the UK (+33.0%), Germany (+12.6%) and France (+10.8%) posting double-digit percentage gains, while the Italian heavy truck market faced a downturn (-1.3%). Noteworthy are the registration figures of Poland (+34.3%) and the Netherlands (+23.0%).

In January 2016, results for trucks were similar to the heavy truck segment, with four of the five largest markets in the EU posting growth over the month. Overall, the EU saw 26,762 new trucks being registered, or 19.1% more than in January 2015.