Demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU is still on the rise, according to the latest report from European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
In April 2015, demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU expanded 12.2 per cent, totalling 169,746 units, the Association said.
The heavy-truck segment (16+ tonnes), which is closely linked to the articulated trailer market, proved especially buoyant.
ACEA said April results showed a 20.8 per cent increase in new heavy truck registrations, totalling 21,543 units.
“This positive outcome was mainly sustained by the significant growth recorded in the UK (+79.2 per cent), Spain (+38.6 per cent) and France (+24.1 per cent),” the Association said.
Also noteworthy was the contribution of the new EU member states (+32.2 per cent) to last month’s positive outcome.
Four months into the year, the EU market grew by 17.0 per cent, reaching 82,039 units. The UK (+70.6 per cent), Spain (+26.7 per cent), Italy (+12.1 per cent) and Germany (+2.3 per cent) saw their demand for heavy trucks increase, while the French market remained stable (+0.3 per cent).
The impressive growth recorded in the Netherlands (+105.8 per cent) persisted during this period.