Car Sales Drop 6.5% in Europe

Passenger car registrations across Europe fell to 1.06 million units last month from 1.13 million in April 2011, according to ACEA. Vehicle sales in the region so far this year are 7% below year-earlier volume.

April sales rose 3% to 274,100 units in Germany and 3% to 142,300 units in the U.K. But they fell 2% to 166,600 units in France, 18% to 129,700 vehicles in Italy and 22% to 56,300 units in Spain.

Demand was flat or down for every major carmaker in Europe. April sales dropped 5% to 261,600 units for market leader Volkswagen. Volume was unchanged at 132,500 units for PSA. But demand fell 15% to 89,700 units at Renault, 11% to 85,500 vehicles at General Motors, 8% to 79,200 units at Ford and 11% to 75,500 units at Fiat.

Luxury brand sales remained healthy last month. Volume rose 3% to 68,300 units at BMW Group, 1% to 56,700 units at Daimler and 32% to 7,900 units at Jaguar Land Rover.

Demand was mixed for Asian brands in Europe. April sales dropped 13% to 41,300 units at Toyota and 20% to 29,700 units at Nissan. But demand advanced 1% to 36,000 units at Hyundai and surged 19% to 28,200 vehicles at affiliate Kia. Honda sales rose 3% to 10,300 vehicles.