June Car Sales Expand 7% in Europe

New-car registrations across Europe climbed 7% year on year to 1.51 million units in June, ACEA reports. Sales through the first half of 2016 rose 9% to 8.09 million vehicles.

Analysts say last month’s slower growth—the weakest pace since March—reflects consumer uncertainty about the impact of the U.K.’s decision to exit the European Union.

Major markets reporting the biggest gains last month were Germany (+8% to 339,600 vehicles), Italy (+12% to 165,200) and Spain (+11% to 123,800). Sales advanced 1% to 117,400 units in France and fell 1% to 255,800 units in the U.K.

Results for June were mixed among Europe’s largest carmakers. Volkswagen Group managed only a 1% sales gain to 349,200 units, thanks to 9% growth to 66,300 units for its Skoda brand. VW brand sales fell 1% to 166,100 units, and Audi sales were flat at 75,400. SEAT and Porsche deliveries shrank 2% and 3%, respectively.

Renault Group’s new-car registrations jumped 20% to 181,400 units last month. FCA Group saw sales climb 13% to 98,700 vehicles. But volumes at PSA and Ford dipped 1% to 150,700 units and 102,100 units, respectively. Opel sales were flat at 102,800 cars.

In Europe’s luxury brand segment, European sales grew 15% to 82,500 units for BMW and 16% to 80,800 units for Mercedes-Benz and 64% to 6,600 cars for Jaguar. SUV sales by Land Rover dropped 3% to 11,900 units.

ACEA says combined sales by Asian brands climbed 9% to 270,400 units in June. Results were buoyed by gains at Hyundai-Kia (+13% to 89,100 units), Toyota (+7% to 59,000), Mazda (+22% to 23,000) and Suzuki (+18% to 19,100). Nissan’s sales in the region declined 3% to 51,900 vehicles last month.