Car Sales Slid 3% in Germany Last Year

New-car registrations in Germany fell to 3.08 million vehicles in 2012 from 3.17 million the previous year, according to industry group VDA. The weak year was capped by a 16% year-on-year tumble in December sales to 204,300 units.

Consumer "insecurity" caused by the eurozone debt crisis eroded sales in 2012, VDA says.

The group expects the country's auto market to sink to about 3 million units this year. But the VDA predicts German-based carmakers will boost their global sales in 2013 because of stronger demand outside western Europe.