SALES of commercial vehicles across Europe have fallen, latest figures show.

New light vehicle registrations decreased by 2.8% in the third quarter of 2002 when compared to the same quarter in 2001.

For the period January to September 2002, total new registrations amounted to 1,327,053 units, a decrease of 3.8% compared to the same period last year, the ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) figures show.

Belgium noted the biggest fall in sales for the year to September, dropping –19.7% to 39,172 units from 48,807 units.

Italy noted the biggest increase, with delivery figures provided to ACEA up more than 14% to 174,404 from 152,169.

European CV sales
Country	Jan-Sept 02	Jan-Sept 01	Variance
Austria	16,502	18,482	-10.7%
Belgium	39,172	48,807	-19.7%
Denmark	23,446	22,375	4.8%
Finland	11,076	10,706	3.5%
France	302,229	320,282	-5.6%
Germany	135,945	145,109	-6.3%
Greece	14,136	15,370	-8.0%
Ireland	30,132	34,248	-12.0%
Italy*	174,404	152,169	14.8%
Luxembourg	3,112	2,980	4.4%
Netherlands	65,178	67,443	-3.4%
Portugal	59,172	67,527	-12.4%
Spain	196,780	213,254	-7.7%
Sweden	20,092	20,733	-3.1%
United Kingdom	201,609	193,719	4.1%
European Union	1,292,985	1,333,204	-3.0%
*Delivery figures from ANFIA