European van sales show a healthy rise

SALES of new vans under 3.5-tonnes across Europe have increased by 5.3% – or by more than 66,000 vehicles – over the past year.

Sales in Western Europe between January and August this year totalled 1,324,818 units, up from 1,258,355 during the same period in 2004.

With the exception of Italy (down 2.4%), all main European markets reported growth. In Spain, sales were up 18.3%, in France 3.7%, Germany 3.5% and the UK 1.3%. In smaller countries, the markets were generally positive with sales increases ranging from 5.2% in Greece to 27.6% in Denmark.

In contrast, the Netherlands (-15.4%), Switzerland (-11.2%), Finland (-10%) and Portugal (-1.6%) reported falls in year-to-date sales, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.

	Jan-Aug 05	Jan-Aug 04	Variance



Austria	19,611	17,543	11.8%



Belgium	43,637	39,832	9.6%



Denmark	35,135	27,538	27.6%



Finland	10,577	11,746	-10.0%



France	280,154	270,183	3.7%



Germany	125,856	121,561	3.5%



Greece	15,826	15,042	5.2%



Ireland	31,556	25,052	26%



Italy*	137,281	140,721	-2.4%



Luxembourg	2,107	1,881	12%



Netherlands	53,241	62,943	-15.4%



Portugal	46,150	46,892	-1.6%



Spain	259,529	219,342	18.3%



Sweden	21,288	19,044	11.8%



UK	205,917	203,233	1.3%



European Union	1,287,865	1,222,553	5.3%



Iceland	1,309	1,010	29.6%



Norway	22,547	20,042	12.5%



Switzerland	13,097	14,750	-11.2%



EFTA**	36,953	35,802	3.2%



Western Europe	1,324,818	1,258,355	5.3%