Car Sales Drop 6% in Germany

New-car registrations in German declined to 305,100 units in May, the country’s KBA vehicle authority reports.

The shrinkage, due in part to one less selling day than a year ago, narrowed year-on-year growth through the first five months of 2018 to 3% and 1.50 million units. On a seasonally adjusted basis, May sales declined by 2%.

By brand, market leader Volkswagen, which accounts for 21% of the German market, saw May sales climb 6% to 63,800 units. Audi sales were flat at 27,000 units. Volumes fell for Mercedes-Benz (-13% to 27,200 units) and BMW (-16% to 19,000).

KBA says diesel registrations plunged 27% 95,500 units last month to only 31% of the passenger vehicle market.