December Car Sales Drop 9% in Europe

New-car registrations across Europe shrank 9% to 1.04 million units in December, their fourth consecutive month of year-on-year decline, according to trade group ACEA.

Full-year sales of passenger cars slipped by 6,100 units to 15.62 million for the entire region but rose by 22,200 units to 15.16 million within the European Union.

All mass-market manufacturers posted lower volumes for December. Deliveries were down for Volkswagen Group (-9% to 242,200 units) PSA (-6% to 160,500), Renault (-17% to 119,800), Ford (-5% to 65,400) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (-3% to 60,900).

Most of Europe’s largest markets also saw sales fall last month. Italy, with a 2% gain to 124,100 units, was the exception. December volumes dropped for Germany (-7% to 237,100 vehicles), France (-15% to 165,400), the U.K. (-6% to 144,100) and Spain (-4% to 99,300).

ACEA reports that full-year car sales were up in 2018 in France (+3% to 2.17 million units) and Spain (+7% to 1.32 million). Year-on-year volumes were flat in Germany at 3.44 million units but declined in the U.K. (-7% to 2.37 million) and Italy (-3% to 1.91 million).