Commercial Vehicle Sales Drop 12% in Europe

Registrations of new commercial vehicles across Europe fell to 109,200 units in August from 123,500 units a year earlier, as the region's recession eroded business demand, automaker group ACEA reports.

In the first eight months of 2012, commercial vehicle sales fell 10% year over year to 1.18 million units.

Demand for trucks, vans and buses fell in all of Europe's major markets in August, including Germany (-6% to 23,900 units), France (-16% to 22,300 units), Italy (-27% to 6,200 units), Spain (-25% to 5,400 units) and the U.K. (-12% to 11,900 units.)

By category, sales fell 12% to 86,200 units for light-duty vehicles and 9% to 19,800 units for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Bus volume was unchanged at 3,100 units.