November Truck Sales in Europe Plunge 18%

Demand for commercial vehicles across Europe sagged to 146,400 units last month from 179,100 units in November 2011, according to ACEA.

The trade group says volume fell 19% for light-duty vehicles, which account for 82% of the total. Regional sales of medium and heavy trucks last month dropped nearly 15% to 23,900 units.

All of Europe's major markets reported sharp declines compared to a year earlier. Combined commercial vehicle sales plunged 21% to 35,000 units in France, 14% to 28,200 units in Germany, 16% to 23,100 units in the U.K., 28% to 10,700 units in Italy and 25% to 7,500 in Spain.

Truck sales in Europe through the first 11 months of 2012 were 1.64 million, down 11% from the same period last year.