ACEA: Global and European Automotive Industry in the First Half of 2025
Part 2: Light Commercial Vehicles (N1)
Thanks to the cooperation between the Serbian Association of Importers of New Vehicles and Parts and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), we are publishing the continuation of the analysis of economic and market results of the automotive industry worldwide and in the EU during the first half of this year, focusing on the N1 category – light commercial vehicles.
Global
In the first half of 2025, North America strengthened its position as the largest market for light commercial vehicles, expanding by 10% and surpassing 2.1 million units, capturing 30.5% of global sales. China ranked second, up 4.2% to 1.6 million units, holding a 23.5% share.
Europe, by contrast, recorded a sharp decline of 12% to 1.1 million units, reducing its market share to 16.1% from 18.8% in the first half of 2024. South America posted the fastest growth, up 11.7% to more than 580,000 units, reaching an 8.4% share. Japan and South Korea together grew by 4.3% to nearly 400,000 units, while the Middle East and Africa declined by 1.5%. South Asia fell by 0.6% but remained a significant player with 10.7% of the global market.
European Union (EU)
The first half of 2025 proved challenging for the European light commercial vehicle market, shaped by a difficult economic context. The sharp drop in registrations reflected the ongoing obstacles the industry faces in promoting fleet renewal and advancing the transition to zero-emission energy sources.
New light commercial vehicle registrations in the EU fell by 13.2%, with the three largest markets driving the decline. Germany recorded the steepest drop at -14.7%, followed by France (-12%) and Italy (-11.7%). In contrast, Spain saw an increase of 11.2%.
By powertrain, diesel remained the preferred choice for new LCV buyers in the EU in the first half of 2025. However, diesel registrations fell by 15.6%, resulting in a market share of 82% (down from 84.3% in H1 2024). Petrol models declined by 29.8%, accounting for 4.9%. Electric vans now hold a 9.5% share, up from 5.8% a year earlier. Hybrid van registrations rose by 7.1%, but still represent only 2.6% of the market.
FIGURES – REGISTRATIONS OF NEW LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES IN THE EU – H1 2025
France: 184,352
Germany: 128,813
Italy: 98,843
Spain: 95,154
EU TOTAL: 729,127
Global
In the first half of 2025, global light commercial vehicle production grew by 1%. Europe recorded a 6.8% decline, mainly due to a 9.4% drop in the EU and a sharp 48.3% fall in the United Kingdom.
North America saw a production decline of 2.7%, with the United States falling by 3.1%. South America recorded growth of 13.8%, driven by Brazil’s strong 18.3% increase. In Asia, overall production rose by 5.5%, supported by gains in China (+9.1%) and Japan (+13.3%), while Thailand fell by 3.6% and India by 3.4%. The Middle East and Africa region recorded a 7.9% increase, with South Africa growing van production by 4.5%.
FIGURES – GLOBAL PRODUCTION OF NEW LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES – H1 2025
Europe: 1,382,369
EU: 1,018,595
Turkey: 243,109
UK: 24,101
Russia: 47,114
Other Europe: 49,450
North America: 2,061,015
USA: 1,399,873
South America: 394,81
Brazil: 242,11
Asia: 3,172,659
China: 1,721,300
Japan: 409,695
Thailand: 386,008
India: 375,803
Other: 279,853
Middle East/Africa: 217,031
South Africa: 117,350
World Total: 7,227,869
Source: ACEA
Photo: AI
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