Truck Sales Fall 10% in Europe

Deliveries of commercial trucks and buses across Europe dropped 10% to 198,000 units in September, says trade group ACEA.

The slump hit heavy-duty trucks the hardest, cutting sales 14% to 23,600 tractors. Light-duty trucks, which account for more than 80% of the market, fell 9% to 165,800 units.

September truck sales were mixed among Europe’s five largest markets. Deliveries plummeted in the U.K. (-22% to 47,100 vehicles) and dropped in Germany (-12% to 27,100) and Spain (-4% to 15,200).

Year-on-year results rose in France (+3% to 40,000 units) and Italy (+9% to 15,400).

ACEA says combined sales of commercial vehicles across Europe through the first nine months of 2019 totaled 2.0 million units, up 5% compared with the same period last year.