European commercial vehicle market enlarges 24% in 8 months

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The EU commercial vehicles market posted a double-digit increase in the first eight months of 2021, enlarging by 24% on a yearly basis.

In the 27-member bloc, commercial vehicle sales amounted to 1.3 million units during the January-August period year-on-year, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) said on Friday.

"Each of the four big EU markets recorded double-digit gains so far this year, although at a slower pace compared to the first half of the year: Italy (+35.4%), France (+22.4%), Spain (+16.0%) and Germany (+12.5%)," the association said.

The EU's demand for vans – light commercial vehicles – soared by 23.6% in the eight-month period to 1.07 million units.

Demand for new heavy trucks also jumped by 33.1% in the January-August period to 161,581 units, on a yearly basis.

On the medium/heavy commercial vehicles side, demand for new trucks across the EU rose by 27.9% in the same period, as 195,247 vehicles were sold.

"Eight months into the year, new bus sales across the EU saw considerable growth (+6.7%) thanks to positive results in the summer months," the ACEA added.

Meanwhile, in August alone, the market narrowed by 5.4% after another decline of 11.9% in July, the association data showed.