Latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) shows that CV registrations rose 3.6% in April, which counted on average two more working days compared to the same month in 2012

In absolute figures, the total number of registrations was about 100,000 units below the pre-crisis level recorded in April 2008.

Looking at the major markets, the UK significantly expanded (+29.5%), while Spain (+7.0%) and Germany (+3.7%) recorded more moderate growths. The French (-3.8%) and Italian (-20.2%) markets shrank.

However the market remains down year to date with 545,049 new vehicles registered; 7.6% less than in the first four months of 2012. Only the UK posted growth (+11.3%), as the downturn prevailed in France (-9.0%), Germany (-11.2%), Spain (-12.9%) and Italy (-23.9%).

The sector of new light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t, or “vans”, was the only segment to post growth in April (+5.8%), totalling 116,657 units. The UK (+43.0%), Spain (+11.5%), and Germany (+6.6%) saw growth while there were downturns in France (-4.0%) and Italy (-22.2%).

From January to April, new van registrations were down in all major markets, except in the UK (+17.6%), falling by 8.8% in France, 9.9% in Germany, 12.0% in Spain and 25.0% in Italy. A total of 449,094 vehicles were registered in the EU over the first four months of the year, or 6.3% less than in the same period a year ago. 

Looking at new heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding Buses & Coaches), or "heavy trucks", registrations decreased by 5.8% in April, with 18,252 units recorded. The Italian market slightly expanded (+2.7%), while the German (-2.0%), Dutch (-3.3%), French (-4.8%), Spanish (-17.5%) and UK (-17.9%) contracted.

Over four months, all significant markets shrank, from -13.6% in France to -13.7% in Italy,  -14.0% in the UK, -14.4% in Germany, -18.1% in the Netherlands and -19.7% in Spain, leading to an overall 13.8% downturn in the EU. 

For the sector of new commercial vehicles (excluding Buses & Coaches), or "trucks", demand was down 5.2% in April, totalling 24,066 units. Downturn prevailed across significant markets, ranging from -3.4% in Germany to -3.9% in the Netherlands, -4.4% in Italy, -4.5% in France, -12.9% in the UK and -16.1% in Spain.

From January to April, all important markets recorded a double-digit decline as demand dropped by 12.9% in France, 14.6% in Germany, 15.4% in the UK, 17.7% in Italy, 19.4% in Spain and 20.2% in the Netherlands, leading to an overall 13.8% contraction in the region. Germany remained the largest market in the truck segment, accounting for over 30% of the 86,251 new registrations.