Europe’s January truck sales are up, not down as feared

WESTERN EUROPE
Europe’s January truck sales are up, not down as feared
Still too early to signal the all-clear
Published: Mon, 03 March 2014 17:25:15 GMT
Tweet

Truck makers earlier last month breathed a large sigh of relief as a reaction to a generally unexpected 4.4 per cent gain in January’s West Europe’s heavy truck sales

January sales of heavy trucks, directly following December’s dizzying pre-buying binge for Euro 5 trucks in much of Europe, exceeded most earlier expectations by a very long stretch.

Instead of shrinking, as generally feared, January’s West European heavy truck sales topped last year’s same month level by a comparatively healthy looking 4.4 per cent, according to provisional truck sales figured from Acea.

To the relief of Europe’s truck industry, January’s truck sales turnout in Western Europe clearly failed to live up to the low earlier held expectations for this year’s opening quarter.

+4.4%
Western Europe's January heavy truck sales rise compared to January last year

Hot on the heels of December’s bumper truck sales tally, when sales went through the roof thanks to an extensive pre-buying spree for cheaper Euro 5 trucks before the December 31 deadline, the 2014 truck sales year kicked off with a distinctive positive omen.

January’s 4.4 per cent gain to 14,235 heavy truck sales in Western Europe blew away the fog and gloom that still appeared to be hanging over this year’s regional first quarter truck sales prospects.

It gave rise to the more upbeat prospect that this year’s truck sales could be notably higher than earlier expected...more

MORE LIKE THIS:

Pre-buying lifts UK heavy truck market 30 Jan 2014

Hangover waiting in spring 2014 - Trucks 03 Dec 2013

Europe’s truck sales recovery strengthening, but it won’t last 03 Dec 2013

To continue reading this article, please register for a free sample without obligation...

Please note that eagleAID.com is a subscriber-only site, and as such it can only be viewed by subscribers to the newsletter.

+4.4% Western Europe's January heavy truck sales rise compared to January last year

+4.4%
Western Europe's January heavy truck sales rise compared to January last year