The figures, published by the ACEA, show that the Q1 downturn was seen across all segments. In total, 401,838 new vehicle registrations were recorded. All major markets posted a drop, with the exception of the UK, which saw a 6.6% rise. Performance in other markets ranged from -10.7% in France, to -16.4% in Germany, -18.7% in Spain and -25.0% in Italy.

March registrations were down 9.8%, totalling 166,402 units. Most markets contracted, including France (-10.2%), Germany (-18.5%), Spain (-20.2%) and Italy (-20.3%). Once again, the UK was the only major one to post growth (+7.7%).

Looking at new light commercial vehicles up to 3.5t, Q1 registrations dropped by 9.9% in the UE*, amounting to 332,473 units. Growth in the UK (+11.7%) was in stark contrast to sharp falls of 10.4% in France, 15.4% in Germany, 18.7% in Spain and 25.9% in Italy.

For the month of March, demand for new vans was down by 7.8%, amounting to 139,413 units. While the UK expanded by 11.5%, France (-9.8%), Germany (-16.0%), Spain (-19.3%) and Italy (-20.0%) all saw their markets shrink.

For the sector of new heavy commercial vehicles over 16t (excluding Buses & Coaches) all major markets faced a double-digit downturn, from -12.5% in the UK to -16.4% in France, -17.6% in Italy, -19.2% in Germany and -20.5% in Spain, leading to an overall 16.7% decrease. In total, 46,985 new heavy trucks were registered in the region.

Registrations decreased by 18.3% in March, with 17,949 units recorded. Results were again negative across all significant markets, ranging from -6.2% in the UK to -16.7% in France, -20.5% in Italy, -23.1% in Germany and -27.0% in Spain.

For new commercial vehicles over 3.5t (excluding Buses & Coaches) Germany remained the largest market (17,913 units) over the first quarter, although it shrank by 18.9% compared to the same period last year, followed by France (10,555 units; -15.7%), the UK (9,248 units; -16.3%), Italy (3,191 units; -21.1%) and Spain (2,552 units; -20.5%). In total, 62,154 trucks were registered in the EU*, or 16.8% less than in the first three months of 2012.

However, the sharpest decline was registered in March (-18.8%) where the most important markets contracted severely, by -13.4% in the UK to -14.7% in France, -23.3% in Italy, -23.7% in Germany and -26.7% in Spain.

* Data for Malta unavailable