Truck Sales in Europe Rose 11% in 2016

European deliveries of commercial vehicles climbed 11% to 220,900 units in December and ended the year at 2.40 million units, also up 11%, according to industry group ACEA. Sales rose in all vehicle segments.

December volumes grew in four of the five major European markets: France (+3% to 45,700 units), Germany (+3% to 31,500), Italy (+97% to 31,400) and Spain (+15% to 18,900). Sales fell 10% to 32,100 units in the U.K., dragged down by a drop in registrations of light vans.

Italy’s sales surge was driven by government incentives that began in September on fleet sales.

Delivers gained for the full year in all five of the top markets. Totals advanced 8% to 463,300 units in France, 1% to 436,200 in the U.K., 7% to 357,300 in Germany, 50% to 225,300 in Italy and 11% to 200,300 in Spain.

ACEA says Europe’s demand for heavy-duty trucks jumped 17% to 24,600 units in December, mainly because of gains in Italy, and 12% to 299,800 vehicles for the full year.