Truck Sales Rise Again in Europe

June sales of commercial trucks and buses across Europe rose 3% to 263,600 units, as strong demand for heavy trucks offset a downturn in deliveries of light-duty commercial vehicles.

Light truck sales fell 5% to 205,600 units last month, according to trade group ACEA. But deliveries of medium- and heavy-duty trucks zoomed 46% to 52,600 units. Bus sales jumped 41% to 5,400 units.

Results marked the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year increases.

Four key markets posted gains in June. Sales climbed in France (+4% to 56,000 units), the U.K. (+19% to 48,400 units), Germany (+11% to 38,900) and Italy (+7% to 20,000). Deliveries slipped 1% to 23,200 units in Spain.

ACEA says commercial vehicle sales in Europe through the first half of 2019 grew 6% to 1.40 million units.