SALES of new vans across Europe have increased by more than 8% so far this year. Latest figures show that sales grew in most European countries, with the exception of Ireland and Luxembourg.

For the month of August, registrations of vans up to 3.5 tonnes reached 111,990 units, up 12% on the same month the previous year.

A spokesman for the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), which released the figures, said: 'The strengthening of the market reflects calendar effects as August 2004 had one to two more working days in all countries except the UK. With the exception of the UK (-5.6%) all the main markets contributed positively to this situation.'

For the year to date, van sales in Western Europe are up by 8.6% to 1,257,616 units from 1,157,532 units in 2003.

Country Jan-Aug 04 Jan-Aug 03 Variance
Austria 17,543 16,887 3.9%
Belgium 39,832 35,743 11.4%
Denmark 27,531 19,612 40.4%
France 270,183 252,492 7.0%
Germany 121,561 116,193 4.6%
Greece 15,042 11,695 28.6%
Ireland 24,856 25,726 -3.4%
Italy 140,756 134,406 4.7%
Luxembourg 1,952 2,656 -26.5%
Netherlands 62,952 56,017 12.4%
Portugal 46,772 44,533 5.0%
Spain 219,337 194,930 12.5%
Sweden 19,044 17,586 8.3%
United Kingdom 203,195 189,519 7.2%
European Union 1,222,161 1,127,589 8.4%
Norway 20,042 15,261 31.3%
Switzerland 14,457 13,938 3.7%
Western Europe 1,257,616 1,157,532 8.6%