Truck Sales Slide Resumes in Europe

Year-on-year demand for commercial vehicles across Europe rose 3% to 144,700 units in July, aided by an additional sales day. But sales fell 5% to 104,000 units in August, according to industry group ACEA.

July sales rose in France (+3% to 35,800 units), Germany (+4% to 27,900) and Spain (+26% to 10,000). Volume dropped in the U.K. (-1% to 22,500) and Italy (-13% to 9,300).

But the overall truck market sagged again in August. Truck sales improved in the U.K. (+15% to 13,700) and Spain (+10% to 6,000). They fell in Europe's other major markets: Germany (-9% to 21,800), France (-5% to 21,100) and Italy (-20% to 4,900).

Commercial vehicle sales in the first eight months of 2013 totaled 1.12 million units compared with 1.18 million in the same period last year, according to ACEA. Light-truck sales during the same interval declined 5% to 914,100 units, and volume for heavier trucks dropped 9% to 182,500 units. Bus sales shrank 5% to 21,600 units.