Europe’s Car Sales Decline in July, August

Registrations of new passenger cars across Europe fell 8% from a year earlier to 972,900 units in July and 9% to 722,500 units in August, according to carmaker group ACEA.

In the first eight months of this year, car sales in the region dropped 7% to 8.59 million vehicles.

The U.K., up 9%, was Europe's only major market to post a year-on-year increase in July. Demand slid in France (-7%), Germany (-5%), Italy (-21%) and Spain (-17%).

All major automakers reported lower volume in July, including Volkswagen (-4% to 249,000 vehicles), PSA (-11% to 116,900 units), Renault (-13% to 83,800 units), General Motors (-15% to 74,600 units), Ford (-14% to 69,800 units) and Fiat (-16% to 63,100 units.)

In August, sales rose 3% in Spain and were unchanged from a year earlier in the U.K. Demand fell in France (-11%), Germany (-5%) and Italy (-20%).

Volkswagen's volume increased 2% to 204,000 vehicles last month. But registrations dropped at PSA (-12% to 81,600 vehicles), Renault (-13% to 61,700 units), GM (-18% to 53,600 units), Ford (-29% to 43,400 units) and Fiat (-18% to 37,700 units).