The latest data from the ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, shows that commercial vehicle registrations in the EU rose 9.8% in the first three months of the year, totalling 443,038 units. Spain (+39.0%), Italy (+14.1%), Germany (+10.5%) and the UK (+10.4) all posted double-digit growth, while France was the only major market recording a decline (-0.6%). 

Meanwhile March registrations rose 11.1%, reaching a total of 185,520 units and marking the seventh consecutive month of growth. Demand was sustained across all segments, with all the top five markets posting increases. Spain recorded the highest upturn (+26.8%). Italy (+16.3%) and the UK (+11.0) also posted double-digit growth, while demand in Germany (+9.8%) and France (+0.3%) also increased.

Looking at the individual segments, for new light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t – or “vans” – this segment grew 10.6% in Q1, with a total of 369,311 new vans registered. France (-1.3%) was the only major market to post a decline, while Spain (+39.5), the UK (+16.0%), Italy (+15.3%) and Germany (+8.5%) saw their demand for vans increase. 

Demand for vans rose by 12.4% in March to 157,333 units. Growth was sustained in all major markets including Spain (+24.7%), Italy (+20.4%), the UK (14.6%), Germany (+7.5%) and France (+1.6%).

For new heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding buses and coaches) – or “heavy trucks” – the EU market grew by 11.9% in Q1, reaching 52,278 units. Increase was sustained in Spain (+48.1%), Italy (+32.5%), Germany (+25.0%) and France (+8.0%), while heavy truck registrations dropped by 31.4% in the UK. 

Results for March showed a 7.7% increase in new heavy truck registrations, totalling 19,266 units. Out of the most significant markets, Spain (+55.1%) and Germany (+22.9%) recorded double-digit growth, while France (-10.3%), Italy (-11.1%) and the UK (-20.4%) saw their demand for heavy trucks decline.

Within the sector for new commercial vehicles over 3.5t (excluding buses and coaches) – or “trucks” – over the first quarter, 66,477 new trucks were registered in the EU, 6.7% more than in the same period last year. Spain (+44.0%), Poland (+18.1%), Germany (+15.5%), Italy (+8.1%) and France (+4.5%) all posted growth, while demand for new trucks in the UK (-28.3%) declined. 

March results showed a 4.2% increase in new truck registrations, totalling 25,262 units. Germany (+14.8%), remained the largest market in the month of March in terms of volumes, registering 8,585 trucks. Spain (+52.9%) and Poland (+7.0%) also saw their demand increase, while truck registrations fell by 11.0% in France, 13.0% in Italy and 21.1% in the UK.