ACEA found that growth was sustained across all segments of commercial vehicles. Looking at the largest markets, Italy recorded the highest upturn (+30.4%) followed by Spain (+17.6%), Germany (+16.2%), France (+13.9%) and the UK (+3.7%).

In the first two months of the year, the EU market expanded by 15.4%, totalling 320,833 commercial vehicles. During the same period, Italy (+27.1%), Spain (+19.1%), Germany (+13.9%) and France (+12.8%) all posted double-digit growth, while the UK (+0.6%) remained stable.

In February 2016, new registrations of light commercial vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) totalled 131,799 units, or 16.9% up on February 2015. This marked the 30th consecutive month of growth in the segment, which accounts for the majority of sales in the commercial vehicle market. Italy (+28.7%), Spain (+16.8%), Germany (+15.9%) and France (+13.0%) contributed positively to the upturn, while the UK market saw only a modest upturn (+0.4%).

From January to February 2016, 262,692 new vans were registered in the EU or 14.4% more than in the same period last year. The UK (-2.5%) was the only major market to post a decline, while Italy (+28.7%), Spain (+16.9%), Germany (+13.9%) and France (+12.6%) saw their demand for vans increase.