Commercial vehicle registrations: -20.3% four months into 2022; -27.1% in April

Total new commercial vehicles

In April 2022, registrations of new commercial vehicles in the European Union fell by 27.1%, with 125,034 units sold, as all vehicle segments saw declines. The four key EU markets suffered significant losses, contributing to the region’s sharp fall: Spain (-36.0%), Germany (‑30.5%), France (-28.6%) and Italy (-17.5%).

Four months into 2022, sales of new commercial vehicles in the EU declined by 20.3%, with last month’s negative result pulling down the cumulative performance further. Three out of the region’s four largest markets recorded double-digit drops. Spain saw the steepest fall (‑31.8%), followed by France (-23.6%) and Germany (-16.5%). Italy posted a more modest decline (-7.7%).

New light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5t

April registrations of new vans in the EU contracted by 30.2%, totalling 99,908 units. The negative region-wide performance was reflected in the four major markets: Spain (-41.0%), Germany (-33.6%), France (-31.8%) and Italy (-17.2%).

From January to April, EU sales of light commercial vehicles retreated (-23.5%), as most markets recorded declines. The only markets in the region to post positive results were Latvia (+15.9%), Cyprus (+5.6%) and Slovakia (+3.9%). In contrast, the EU’s four major markets contracted, with Spain posting the largest drop (-37.2%).

New heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) of 16t and over

Last month, 19,878 new heavy trucks were sold in the EU – 10.8% less than last year. This fall was mainly driven by the weak results recorded in some of the largest markets for this vehicle segment: Italy (-22.0%), Germany (-18.5%) and Poland (-16.7). Spain saw a modest decline (-0.5%), whilst France was the only key market to witness growth (+3.6%).

Over the first four months of the year, registrations of new heavy commercial vehicles across the EU slipped back by 2.4%, as the weak result of the last two months dragged the region’s overall performance into negative territory. However, the largest markets in Western Europe recorded mixed results. Spain and France posted growth (+3.4% and +3.2% respectively), whilst registrations of new heavy trucks in both Germany and Italy shrank by 5.4%.

New medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV) over 3.5t

In April 2022, new medium and heavy commercial vehicle registrations in the EU retreated (‑12.6%), counting 23,308 units. With the exception of Spain (+3.5%), all major markets saw negative growth. Italy witnessed the weakest result among the key markets (-20.7%), followed by Germany (-20.2%). France only saw a marginal decrease (-1.3%).

So far in 2022, 98,239 new medium and heavy commercial vehicles were registered across the European Union, a decrease of 4.7% compared to the same period last year. Among the region’s largest markets, only Spain posted an increase (+3.0%). Germany declined the most (-9.1%), followed by Italy (-5.3%) and France (-1.1%).

New medium and heavy buses & coaches (MHBC) over 3.5t

In April, registrations of new buses in the EU contracted by 1.2%, reaching 1,818 units. The performance of the EU’s major markets varied significantly. Spain and France saw double-digit gains (+82.5% and +51.8%, respectively), whereas Germany plunged by 38.3%. Italy saw a modest decrease of 3.7%.

From January to April, new bus and coach sales across the EU recorded a slight decline (‑0.5%). The region’s key markets posted mixed results. Spain jumped by +59.9%, whilst France saw a more modest expansion (+4.7%). Germany and Italy, on the other hand, recorded double-digit losses (-16.9% and -13.9% respectively).

Four months into 2022, sales of new commercial vehicles in the EU declined by 20.3%, with last month’s negative result pulling down the cumulative performance further.