While the UK market waits for a detailed analysis of second quarter trucks registrations from the SMMT – data from Acea, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, states that registrations of vehicles above 3.5-tonne GVW increased 4.94% in the second quarter of 2016 compared to Q2 2015.
However growth in the UK in June slowed compared to new registrations in April and May. Acea offered no explanation nor mentioned any impact of the Brexit referendum on business confidence.
According to Acea statistics 11,898 vehicles above 3.5-tonne GVW were registered in the UK in the second quarter, comprising of 3.901 in April; 3,787 in May and 4,210 in June. Each month showed an increase compared to the same month in 2015; of 7.4%; 6.2% and 1.7% respectively.
Breaking the figures down, vehicles above 16-tonne GVW also showed growth. Some 2,874 new trucks were registered in the UK in April 2016, up 3.98% on the same month in 2015; 2,797 trucks were registered in May (up 6.9% on May 2015) and 2,989 in June (up 1% on June 2015). Overall the 16-tonne GVW and above sector was up 3.87% to 8,660 compared to 8,337 in Q2 2015.
In June alone growth in the UK was well below that of other major European markets. Germany saw 8,909 trucks above 3.5-tonne GVW registered in June (compared to 8,414 in June 2015, a 5.9% rise). France meanwhile saw 5,116 new units registered in the weight category, a 15.7% increase in 4,423 registrations in June 2015.
Overall the market for trucks above 3.5-toone GVW in the EU stood at 33,031 units, up 10.3% on 29,933 in June 2015. The UK accounted for 12.7% of all EU registrations.
SMMT figures for the first quarter of 2016, released in late May, saw the UK market for vehicles above 6-tonne GVW increase 19% year-on-year to 10,363 units, compared to 8,697 in Q1 2015.
