Truck Sales Slip 5% in Europe

Registrations of commercial vehicles across Europe (excluding Russia) dropped to 156,200 units in June from 164,400 vehicles a year earlier, according to industry group ACEA.

Volume was mixed in the region's largest markets last month. Sales fell in France (-9% to 39,100 units), Germany (-7% to 27,100 units) and Italy (-13% to 10,100). Registrations rose 4% to 27,300 units in the U.K. and 15% to 9,700 units in Spain.

All vehicle segments shrank last month. Sales of light-duty commercial vehicles, which account for 82% of the market, slid 5% to 128,800 units. Demand for heavy trucks and large buses dropped 6% to 18,600 units and 12% to 2,800 units, respectively.

Truck sales in the first half of 2013 totaled 869,000 units in the region, down 7% from the same period last year, according to ACEA.