EU Commercial Vehicle Market Declines, Stopping 21-Month Streak

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Trailer/Body Builders  /  November 28, 2016

Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU in October decreased by 2.4% to 185,055 units, breaking a 21-month trend of consecutive growth, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). The decline affected all segments and all major markets, except for Italy.

The Italian market posted a double digit increase (+47.9%), while Germany (-15.0%), the UK (-6.4%), Spain (-5.7%) and France (-5.6%) saw registrations decline compared to October 2015.

Over the first ten months of 2016, new registrations in the EU nevertheless remained positive (+11.6%) thanks to gains in earlier months, totaling about 1.9 million vehicles. During that period, Italy (+41.1%), Spain (+10.8%), France (+8.3%), Germany (+8.1%), and the United Kingdom (+2.1%) all posted growth.

New heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) over 16 metric tons (35,274lb)

In October, registrations of new heavy commercial vehicle decreased (-7.7%) compared to October last year, totaling 26,324 units. Among the big five markets, Italy (+35.3%) showed the highest percentage growth, while demand for new HCVs in Germany (-17.4%), the United Kingdom (-16.3%), Spain (-8.7%) and France (-4.3%) dropped significantly.

Ten months into the year, demand for new heavy trucks continued to increase (+12.4%), with 244,303 new vehicles being registered in the EU. All major markets made a positive contribution to the overall upturn, especially the Italian (+37.0%) and French (+13.5%) ones with their double-digit increases.

New medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV) over 3.5 metric tons (7,716lb)

In October 2016, new truck registrations were down (-9.0%) compared to October last year. Overall, 31,853 new trucks were registered in the EU. Among the major markets, results for trucks were similar to those of the heavy truck segment, with Italy (+43.9%) showing the highest increase and all other major markets posting declines.

From January to October 2016, 300,228 new trucks were registered in the EU, 11.0% more than in the same period last year. Italy (+37.8%), France (+13.2%) and Spain (+9.4%) made a particularly significant contribution to this.

New medium and heavy buses & coaches (MHBC) over 3.5 metric tons (7,716lb)             

In October 2016, new registrations in the bus and coach segment declined for the fifth consecutive month (-6.7%), totaling 3,013 units. Italy (+89.4%), Spain (+19.5%) and Germany (+3.6%) all posted growth, while France (-16.6%) performed less well than in October 2015.

Over the first ten months of 2016, the EU market for buses and coaches remained fairly stable (+0.5%), counting 32,311 newly registered vehicles. During this period, demand was primarily driven by Spain (+17.0%) and Germany (+13.2%), while France (-5.5%) saw demand decline.

New light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5 metric tons (7,716lb)

In October 2016, EU demand for light commercial vehicles flattened (-0.8%), totaling 150,189 units. This ended the streak of 37 consecutive months of growth in the segment. Demand was mainly driven by Italy (+47.7%), while Germany (-13.2%), France (-5.8%), Spain (-5.5%) and the UK (-4.5%) all saw demand for vans decline in October.

From January to October 2016, 1,572,863 new light commercial vehicles were registered in the EU, or 11.9% more than in the same period one year ago. Italy (+42.2%), Spain (+10.8%), Germany (+9.7%), France (+8.0%) and the UK (+2.0%) all contributed to this positive upturn over the first ten months of 2016.

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UK HGV demand slumped in October

Commercial Motor  /  November 28, 2016

UK demand for new HGVs plummeted in October, according to the latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (EAMA).

The report, which looks at registrations of new commercial vehicles across Europe in 2016, reveals that UK demand for new medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV) over 3.5 metric tons (7,716lb) fell 17.4% to 4,472 in October this year compared to the same month last year.

Demand for HGVs 16 metric tons (35,274lb) and above plunged by 16.3% in the same period to 3,579 registrations.

This is the first fall in UK registrations of vehicles 3.5-tons to the top of the weight range this year.

Despite this monthly fall, the UK market remained up on 2015 in the first ten months of the year with MHCV sales 3% higher at 40,256 and HGVs (16-ton and above) up 4% at 30,646.

Although registration growth across both of the above weight catergories has been higher in France, Spain, Germany and Italy during the first ten months of 2016.

European malaise 

The EAMA said the decline in UK demand for HGVs in October was however in line with a trend across Europe. Registrations of new MHCVs and HGVs in the EU were down 9% and 7.7% respectively in October 2016 compared to the same period last year, except in Italy.

Italy increased registrations of new HGVs (16-ton and above) by 35.3% to 1,548, but registrations of new HGVs fell 17.4% in Germany (4,955), 8.7% in Spain (2,835) and 4.3% in France (3,724) in the same period. 

Total European registrations of HGVs (16-ton and above) for the first ten months of the year are 12.4% ahead year-on-year at 244,303.

An EAMA spokeswoman told Commercialmotor.com that the October decline indicated “a levelling off” in demand after a period of strong growth as businesses across the EU replaced older stock following the recession.

“After so many months of double-digit growth, as ageing stock was replaced after the economic crisis, this is a natural adjustment in the market and overall the market is still growing this year,” she added.

In its latest quarterly figures, the SMMT said fleet renewal patterns had now returned to normal following the distortions caused by Euro-6 and Whole Vehicle Type Approval, and said the industry should now expect a steadier rate of further growth.