EU October commercial vehicles registrations up 7% after September’s dip – ACEA

LONDON (ICIS)–EU commercial vehicle registrations rose month on month in October, up 6.9%, according to the latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) on Thursday.

The return to positive figures will be welcomed by players in the chemical-intensive automotive industry, following September’s decline of more than 5% in the wake of the introduction of the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test (WLTP), a new testing system for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

In September, registrations of light commercial vehicles had fallen 6%.

However, registrations for that type of vehicle rose by 6% in October, bringing registrations back to the levels posted before the introduction of the WLTP.

All other vehicle segments recorded positive performances, while four of the five major European economies posted growth, with Italy (-13.2%) the only market posting a decline.

Germany posted the strongest increase (16.9%), followed by the UK (10.9%), France (7.3%) and Spain (1.7%).

In the first ten months of the year, meanwhile, commercial vehicle registrations were up 3.9% year on year, amounting to over 2m new registrations.

“Spain posted the highest growth rate (7.9%), followed by France (5.4%) and Germany (5.4%),” ACEA said.

“By contrast, demand fell in Italy (-2.2%) and the United Kingdom (-2.2%) during the same period.”

Pictured: Parking lot operated by automobile manufacturers in Zuelpich, Germany
Source: Hans Blossey/imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock