May Sales Unchanged in Europe

Retail deliveries of new passenger vehicles in Europe last month totaled 1.44 million units, unchanged from May 2018, says trade group ACEA.

Results were mixed among the region’s five largest national markets. Sales rose in Germany (+9% to 333,000 units) and France (+1% to 193,900). Deliveries fell in Italy (-1% to 197,300 vehicles), the U.K. (-5% to 183,700) and Spain (-7% to 125,600).

Sales through the first five months of 2019 slipped 2% to 6.94 million light vehicles from 7.08 million in January-May of last year, according to ACEA.

Among mass-market manufacturers, May sales across Europe advanced for PSA Group (+4% to 236,900 units), Hyundai-Kia (+2% to 93,000), and Toyota (+12% to 73,200).

Deliveries last month shrank for Volkswagen Group (-2% to 358,100 vehicles), Renault (-4% to 158,000), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (-8% to 101,200) and Nissan (-18% to 33,400).

May registrations climbed 8% to 92,000 units for BMW Group. Volume was unchanged at 85,700 vehicles for rival Daimler.

Combined sales by ACEA’s Asian members (Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota) grew 2% to 241,700 cars and SUVs last month.