Van sales post a 5% increase for 2006

SALES of light commercial vehicles across Europe are up by more 5% for the year to date, latest figures show.

Figures published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for sales of vans up to 3.5 tonnes show that Germany led the way with a rise in sales of 22.8% and only three of the EU-15 countries – the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK – posted losses.

Country	Jan-Feb 06	Jan-Feb 05	Variance %



Austria	3,998	3,649	9.6%



Belgium	11,536	11,484	0.5%



Denmark	9,147	7,820	17.0%



Finland	2,961	2,648	11.8%



France	73,678	67,471	9.2%



Germany	28,200	22,971	22.8%



Greece	4,547	4,077	11.5%



Ireland	13,300	11,469	16.0%



Italy*	33,767	33,620	0.4%



Luxembourg	514	535	-3.9%



Netherlands	14,120	15,962	-11.5%



Portugal	10,625	10,982	-3.3%



Spain	58,543	56,160	4.2%



Sweden	5,239	4,374	19.8%



UK	35,917	37,493	-4.2%



European Union	306,092	290,715	5.3%



Iceland	346	262	32.1%



Norway	6,088	5,038	20.8%



Switzerland	3,144	3,311	-5.0%



EFTA**	9,578	8,611	11.2%



Western Europe	315,670	299,326	5.5%