Commercial vehicles: Domestic market remains weak in January — exports of trucks growing
Number of Incoming Orders Continues to Stabilize
Frankfurt am Main, February 8, 2010. In January 2010 new commercial vehicle registrations were down by 13 percent compared to the same month last year. Registrations of new heavy-duty vehicles in particular were lower compared to the same period in 2009 (-37 percent). "Many shipping companies have temporarily taken their fleets out of service during the crisis. This means that a revival in demand for freight forwarding services only has a delayed effect on the demand for new vehicles,” said Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). With a sales volume of 12,100 units, however, the vans segment (up to 6 tons) was nearly at the same level as last year.
Order levels for commercial vehicles in Germany were 8 percent higher in January 2010 than in the same month in 2009. Orders for vans grew by 6 percent, while orders for vehicles over 6 tons even rose by 21 percent. Said Wissmann: "Domestic orders in the heavy-duty segment have increased since September 2009. Although this is happening at a low level, it seems that a gradual recovery of the market could be a realistic prospect.”
There were big differences in the development of demand on foreign markets in January. Exports of vans increased by one-fifth to 9,120 units, while exports of heavy-duty trucks dropped once again by 38 percent. However, foreign orders for vehicles over 6 tons increased by 15 percent in January. "If foreign orders start to slowly increase again over the coming months, we can also expect a stabilization in exports of heavy-duty vehicles,” Wissmann emphasized. A continuation of the economic rebound in Germany and Europe is essential, as this will help to stimulate lasting demand for transport services, said the VDA president.
Production at German commercial vehicle plants in January was 6 percent lower than in the same period last year. While production of vans increased by 14 percent, production of heavy-duty trucks dropped by 36 percent.
