April Car Sales Slip 1% in Europe

New-car sales across Europe dipped to 1.34 million units in April from 1.35 million a year earlier.

April sales were mixed in Europe’s five largest markets, trade group ACEA reports. Volume retreated in Germany (-1% to 310,700 units) and the U.K. (-4% to 161,100). Demand rose in Italy (+2% to 174,400 vehicles) and Spain (+3% to 119,400). Sales advanced only 800 units to 188,200 in France.

Results also were mixed for Europe’s largest carmakers. Gainers comprised PSA (+1% to 218,600 units), Renault Group (+1% to 145,200), Hyundai (+3% to 91,200) and Toyota (+2% to 66,600).

But April sales fell for Volkswagen Group (-3% to 335,700 units), dragged down by declines of 6% for Audi and 7% for VW brand models. Sales also shrank for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (-3% to 88,800 units), Ford (-5% to 81,900) and Nissan (-17% to 31,700)

BMW Group (+7% to 84,800 units) barely outsold rival Daimler (+5% to 84,300) in April. But Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz brand (+3% to 74,200 vehicles) handily surpassed BMW brand cars (+12% to 69,600)

ACEA says overall new-car registrations through the first four months of 2019 declined totaled 5.49 million units, down 3% from the same period last year.