Car Sales in Europe Rose 3% in December

Deliveries of new passenger cars in Europe grew 3% to a record 1.19 million units last month, says ACEA. The industry group reports full-year sales climbed 7% to a 9-year high of 15.13 million vehicles.

Four of Europe’s largest markets posted year-on-year gains in December. Volume rose in Germany (+4% to 245,500 units), France (+6% to 194,400), Italy (+13% to 124,400) and Spain (+9% to 96,900). Sales slipped 1% to 178,000 vehicles in the U.K.

Volkswagen Group, the region’s largest producer, saw December sales climb 7% to 280,600 vehicles, thanks to big gains by Audi (+17% to 61,600 vehicles), Skoda (+14% to 52,200) and SEAT (+6% to 26,600). Sales of VW brand cars dipped 1% to 133,800 units. Group sales for the year rose 3% to 3.64 million in Europe in spite of flat demand for the VW nameplate.

December volumes for other producers were mixed. Totals grew for Renault (+14% to 150,400 units), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+14% to 74,000) and Opel (+3% to 73,200). Deliveries declined for PSA (-15% to 106,300 vehicles) and Ford (-4% to 76,500).

Last month’s results surged 16% to 76,300 units for Daimler and dropped 3% to 85,900 for BMW Group. But BMW brand sales narrowly topped Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz brand by 68,100 units to 67,400. For the full year, Mercedes outsold BMW models in Europe 839,800 units to 821,500 units.

Asian-brand car sales advanced 3% to 220,100 units in December, according to ACEA. Full-year deliveries by the group rose 7% to 2.90 million vehicles.

Last year main-market carmakers that outpaced the region’s 7% overall growth rate were Renault (+12% to 1.52 million units), FCA (+14% to 992,700), Hyundai (+8% to 505,400), Kia (+13% to 435,300) and Mazda (+12% to 237,200).