Light-Truck Sales Continue to Rise in Europe

Renault Master

Europe's demand for commercial vehicles grew 9% to 158,900 units in July and 6% to 110,400 units in August, says industry group ACEA. Expanding deliveries of light-duty units offset shrinkage in heavy-truck sales.

Overall commercial vehicle sales in July fell nearly 7% to 33,400 trucks in France. But volumes grew in Germany (+3% to 28,900 units), the U.K. (+26% to 28,300), Spain (+25% to 12,400) and Italy (+24% to 11,800).

Light commercial vehicles led July's advance, jumping 12% to 132,200 units. Heavy-truck deliveries slipped 4% to 18,100.

In August, truck sales again shrank in France, this time by 6% to 19,800 units. And again year-on-year volumes climbed in Germany (+8% to 23,500), the U.K. (+11% to 15,200), Spain (+18% to 7,000) and Italy (+11% to 5,400).

Light commercial vehicle deliveries rose 10% to 89,500 last month, according to ACEA. Heavy-truck sales fell 6% to 13,600 units.

Total truck sales across Europe in January-August increased nearly 9% to 1.22 million units compared with the same period in 2013.