January Car Sales Fall 5% in Europe

Deliveries of new passenger cars skidded 5% to 1.23 million units across Europe last month, as demand dropped in the region’s top five markets.

Trade group ACEA reports that new-car registrations declined in Germany (-1% to 265,700 units), the U.K. (-2% to 161,000), Italy (-8% to 164,900) France (-1% to 155,100) and Spain (-8% to 93,500).

Europe’s largest domestic manufacturers all posted lower volumes in January. Year-on-year results dropped for Volkswagen Group (-6% to 296,700 vehicles), PSA Group (-2% to 206,500) Renault Group (-1% to 117,400), Ford (-7% to 78,500) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (-15% to 72,600).

Europe’s biggest luxury brands also reported sales shrinkage. The decline was led by Mercedes-Benz (-2% to 66,000 units), BMW (-5% to 59,100) and Audi (-17% to 52,500).

Volvo posted a 22% sales jump to 25,900 units last month. Land Rover’s volume fell 8% to 10,900 SUVs. Jaguar’s volume was flat at 5,000 cars and crossovers.

The five Asian brands who are ACEA members saw their combined sales slide 8% to 185,300 vehicles. The slump was led by Toyota (-5% to 63,600 cars) and Nissan (-26% to 31,100).