In October demand for new commercial vehicles was down by 9.4% in the EU, compared to October last year, amounting to 147,211 units.

All major markets have declined, by 3.8% in Germany, 8.6% in the UK, 9.8% in France, 16.4% in Italy and 20.4% in Spain, reported ACEA, the European automakers' association. 

In the year to November contraction has prevailed across all significant markets, leading to an overall 10.6% downturn in the region. New registrations decreased by 3.6% in the UK, 4.1% in Germany, 8.0% in France, 25.2% in Spain and 33.0% in Italy.

In total, 1,429,287 new vehicles were registered in the EU.

New van/LCV registrations amounted to 118,723 units, or 9.7% less than in October 2011.

Looking at the major markets, Germany saw its market decline by 3.5%, the UK by 8.1%, France by 9.5%, Italy by 16.0% and Spain by 24.3%.

From January to October, the EU registered 1,159,579 new vans, or 11.5% less than in the same period a year earlier.

Germany, the UK and France experienced a contraction of 2.9%, 6.5% and 8.2% respectively, while Spain (-25.7%) and Italy (-33.4%) faced a more severe downturn.