9:45 am, January 20, 2014
CAR sales in Europe hit their lowest level for 18 years in 2013, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
Research revealed that new registrations fell by 1.7 per cent to 11.9m last year – the lowest level since the ACEA started recording data for the EU in 2003 and the worst results since 1995.
Although sales bounced back towards the end of the year as the Eurozone existed recession, car sales slumped to record a 26 per cent decrease on 2008.
However, year-on-year sales were up 13.3 per cent in December – the best single month figures since 2009.
The largest declines were seen in the Eurozone crisis states. France saw its sales decline by 5.7 per cent, while Italy’s dropped seven per cent and Cyprus fell by a larger 35 per cent.
The EU’s biggest car market – Germany – also saw a drop of 4.2 per cent in sales to 2.95m, while the Netherlands also fell 17 per cent.
Meanwhile, sales in both Spain and Greece recorded a small rise and the UK saw sales grow by 10.8 per cent in 2013.
Looking at the manufacturers, Jaguar Land Rover recorded the biggest growth with overall group sales up by 9.5 per cent and Jaguar up 15.7 per cent.
French brands, Peugeot and Citroen declined by 8.5 per cent combined. However, when looking at the luxury segment, both BMW and Audi posted small declines, while Mercedes upped its sales by 5.2 per cent.
