Car Sales Fade in Italy, Spain

New-car sales in Italy and Spain dropped 10% and 4%, respectively, in March, according to local trade data sources.

Registrations in Italy fell to 193,700 units, according to the country’s transport ministry. Sales to private owners and companies declined 1% and 7%, respectively. Self registrations by carmakers and their dealers dropped 79% and 18%, respectively.

Italian trade group ANFIA blames the slowdown on sagging consumer confidence and fears of shrinkage in the Italian economy this year.

In Spain, sales slid to 122,700 units in March, marking the seventh straight month of year-on-year shrinkage. New-car registrations by individuals and rental companies fell 6% and 10%, respectively. But sales to businesses rose 3%.

Demand for diesels continued to shrink in both markets. Sales in Italy fell 25% to 87,800 vehicles. In Spain, diesel deliveries fell 28% to 33,000 units. Diesels lost about nine points of market share in each market compared with March 2018.