Truck Sales in Europe Climb 11%

Demand for commercial vehicles across Europe jumped to 157,900 units last month compared with 142,700 in May 2013, according to industry group ACEA.

It was the ninth consecutive month of year-on-year gains. Total sales for January-May rose 9% to 776,300 units across the EU28.

May's results were led by a 14% increase to 131,700 units for light trucks. Sales of heavy vehicles (16 tons and above) were flat (17,200 units) in the EU but advanced 1% to 18,000 units for the entire EU28.

Sales last month were unchanged at 32,000 units in France, the region's largest national truck market. But demand rose significantly in Germany (+16% to 28,000 units), the U.K. (+12% to 27,500), Italy (+14% to 11,900) and Spain (+42% to 11,600).