Last month saw demand increase for the 15th consecutive month, rising 8.0% to total 242,049 units. Growth was sustained across all segments of commercial vehicles. Looking at the largest markets, Italy recorded the highest upturn (+29.3%), while France (+6.4%), the UK (+3.2%) and Germany (+2.6%) showed more modest rates of growth. The Spanish market (-0.6%) saw a slight decline after a period of strong growth.

In the first quarter of the year, the EU market totalled 563,132 commercial vehicles. During the same period, Italy (+27.9%), Spain (+10.6%), France (+10.2%), Germany (+9.2%) and the UK (+2.2%) all posted growth.

For LCVs up to 3.5 tonnes, March registrations were up 7.6% year on year to reach 204,157 units – marking the 31st consecutive month of growth in the segment. Italy (+32.1%), France (+5.0%), the UK (+3.3%) and Germany (+3.0%) saw positive results, while Spain was down -1.3% year on year.

From January to March 2016, 466,839 new vans were registered in the EU or 11.3% more than in the same period last year. All major markets saw their demand for vans increase during the first quarter of the year.

The heavy truck segment for vehicles over 16 tonnes again saw a double-digit increase, reaching 27,831 new registrations. Significant growth was recorded in Italy (+25.2%), France (+18.6%) and Spain (+9.3%). New EU member states also saw growth, especially Poland (+46.3%) and the Netherlands (+30.3%).

Three months into the year, the EU market grew by 18.0%, reaching 71,501 units. All major markets saw their demand for heavy trucks increase: Spain (+22.1%), Italy (+19.1%), France (+16.9%), the UK (+13.5%) and Germany (+8.0%).

March results for trucks over 3.5 tonnes were similar to the heavy truck segment, with Italy (+22.0%), France (+18.3%) and Spain (+10.9%) posting double-digit gains. Overall, 34,092 new trucks were registered in the EU, or 11.1% more than in March 2015.

From January to March 2016, 87,262 new trucks were registered in the EU, 17.6% more than in the same period last year. All major markets posted significant growth, especially Spain (+25.0%) and Italy (+19.2%).