By Fotis Fotinos
The European commercial vehicle market is being “tested” by arrhythmias in the supply chain and the lack of individual spare parts.
For the 10th consecutive month and according to data from ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association), the commercial car market (trucks and buses) fell (to 27.1% in April), predicting a “still difficult” year ( -20.3% the registrations in the first 4 months).
Deliveries of new trucks and buses, per case, are implemented in up to 12 months, as deficiencies are identified, except for semiconductors, in lubricants, wiring, etc.
In Greece, according to data from the Association of Car Dealers Importers (SEAA) for the first quarter of the year, truck registrations (light and heavy) fell by 15.5% and buses by 37.3%.
According to market executives, the buses are moving in a downward direction, on the contrary, the messages on the trucks are positive in some basic categories.
The image of the market
According to ACEA reports for the first 4 months of the year, the Greek market recorded the following performances:
– In light trucks up to 3.5 tons there was a decrease of 16.8%, with 2,839 registrations, while in April the decrease reached 15.6%, with 820 registrations.
– In trucks from 3.5 tons and up there was an increase of 42.8%, with 237 registrations, and in April an increase of 126.5%, with 77 registrations.
– In heavy trucks from 16 tons and up there was an increase of 83%, with 172 registrations, and in April an increase of 116.7%, with 52 registrations.
– There was a drop of 35.5% in buses, with 60 registrations, and in April a decrease of 32.4%, with 23 registrations.
By category, as reported by executives of commercial car companies, the market for heavy trucks is moving upwards, as some transport companies / logistics companies are showing dynamics.
Also, large infrastructure projects started gradually, with the main one being the first section of Line 4 of the Athens Metro, with the market waiting for the execution of the basic works of Elliniko.
Respectively, the market for medium trucks (from 3.5 tons and up) is moving upwards, as some retail companies, such as food and supermarkets, are renewing their fleet, resulting in increased registrations.
On the contrary, the classifications of light trucks and vans (up to 3.5 tons) are falling this year, while last year they showed stagnation.
Finally, the purchase of buses depends on the performance of KTEL and mini-buses from tourism. In the large bus market, there was mobility last year, with an increase in registrations, due to the subsidies given.
On the other hand, the market expects the development of the big competition for the new buses in the public transport of Athens and Thessaloniki.
Finally, with regard to mini-buses, it is easy to see that they depend on the course of tourism and the hotel market.
Negative first of Greece in the average aged buses and trucks
Unfortunately, Greece has the oldest fleet of trucks and buses in the European Union, according to the latest data from ACEA.
More specifically, the trucks that circulate in our country have an average of aged 21.4 years, while buses at 19.4 years.
In passenger vehicles the picture is a little better, as their average age is 16.6 years, while in light commercial vehicles (vans) the average is 20.2 years.
Across Europe, the average age of passenger cars is 11.8 years, vans 11.9 years, trucks 14.1 years and buses 12.8 years.
It is noteworthy that Lithuania and Romania have the oldest car fleets, with vehicles almost 17 years old, in contrast to the newer passenger cars circulating in Luxembourg (6.7 years).
Also, of the four major EU markets, Italy has the oldest fleet of light commercial vehicles with 13.8 years, followed by Spain with 13.3 years.
Greece, as mentioned above, has a negative record, as its trucks have an average age of 21.4 years, which makes it the Member State with the oldest fleet of trucks. By contrast, the newest trucks are on the roads of Luxembourg (6.7 years) and Austria (7 years).
In general, the road freight market remains fragmented in Greece. The majority of the industry consists of small businesses, resulting in significant restrictions on the funds available for investment.
Among the demands of the industry is the introduction of incentives for the renewal of the fleet, with the relevant discussion having been “more open” lately.
Source: Capital

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