Fall in registrations in EU in 2012. - The European market for commercial vehicles remained sluggish in 2012 according to the latest statistics published by ACEA (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers). In 2012, the number of registrations for new commercial vehicles in the European Union reached a little under 1.7 million units, in other words 12.4% less than in 2011. The Italian and Spanish markets were the most severely affected, with respective falls of -31.7% and -25.9%. Other markets, which until now have been relatively stable, also suffered a decline. This is the case for France (-10.3%), Germany (-7%) and the United Kingdom (-5.7%). In the light commercial vehicles sector (up to 3.5 tonnes - “vans”), demand fell last year by 13.3%, in other words a little less than 1.4 million units. Almost all the EU member states recorded a fall, including the biggest markets: -6% in Germany; -7.9% in the United Kingdom; -10.6% in France, but in particular -32% in Italy and -26.3% in Spain. With 286,000 registrations recorded in 2012 the medium commercial vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) were also down, with a 9.1% fall in demand. The United Kingdom is the only big market to record an increase (+3.5%) when there was still a decrease in France (-7.5%), in Germany (-9.8%) and especially in Spain (-21.3%) and Italy (-29.4%). Lastly, the heavy commercial vehicles sector (over 16 tonnes) also suffered a decline with an average fall of 9.4% last year (in other words 214,000 registrations). The results are nevertheless varied, ranging from only -0.4% in the United Kingdom to -28.5% in Italy. Between the two, France and Germany recorded a drop of 8.5% and 9.6% respectively, whereas the Spanish market fell by 20.4%. New vehicles were also sluggish for the European fleet. Again according to ACEA, registrations of new vehicles in the European Union fell by 8.2% in 2012, to 12.05 million units - the highest contraction recorded since 1993. The decline is particularly high in Southern Europe, including Spain (-13.9%), France (-13.98%), Italy (-19.9%), Cyprus (-24.6%), Portugal (-37.9%) and Greece (-40.1%). Of all the manufacturers in Europe (over 18 in total), it is Renault of France which recorded the biggest fall (-19.1%) followed by the Fiat Group (-16.1%), the GM Group (-13.8%), Suzuki (-13.6%), Ford (-13.2%) and the PSA Group (-12.9%). Three manufacturers recorded an increase, however: Hyundai (+9.4%), KIA (+14.1%) and in particular Jaguar-Land Rover which, with a spectacular rise in its sales of 25.8%, proves that the luxury car still has good days ahead of it despite the economic crisis. (IL/transl.fl)