Van segment drives commercial vehicles sales
143,990 new commercial vehicles were registered in the European Union (EU) in May, with van sales carrying the upturn.
Out of the 140,000 plus commercial vehicles registered in the month, 121,901 were new vans according to latest ACEA figures.
Vans – the only segment to expand in the EU - were up a total of 9.4 per cent in May, with all the main European markets, with the exception of France, showing signs of growth.
Sales were up 2.4 per cent in Italy, 15.1 per cent in Germany, 32.7 per cent in the UK and 40.9 per cent in Spain.
Since January, 636,723 new vans have been registered in the EU, showing a much welcomed increase of 10 per cent.
The market-leading Ford Transit was the most popular van in the first five months of 2010 – as it has been for over 40 years. Prices remain modest however, with the Transit starting at £17,155.