VW Group Loses Share as Europe’s Car Market Surges

Deliveries of new passenger vehicles across Europe jumped 16% to 1.16 million in December on gains in virtually every country in the region, trade group ACEA reports.

Full-year volume expanded 9% to 14.20 million units. It was Europe's strongest result since 2010.

The region's five largest markets posted a collective 12% increase to 809,200 units last month. Deliveries rose in Germany (+8% to 247,400 units), France (+13% to 183,700), the U.K. (+8% to 180,100), Italy (+19% to 109,400) and Spain (+21% to 88,600).

Among carmakers, Volkswagen Group posted the weakest December improvement with a 4% gain to 260,500 units. As a result, the company’s market share for the month fell to 22.5% from 25.0% in 2014. The group’s full-year market share slipped to 24.8% from 25.5%.

Most of Europe’s other major manufacturing groups posted double-digit gains in December. They were led by PSA (+21% to 124,500 units), Renault (+28% to 132,200), BMW (+19% to 87,600), Ford (+24% to 80,200), Daimler (+14% to 66,000) and FCA (+16% to 65,200). Opel sales last month rose 5% to 71,900 vehicles.

All companies posted higher sales in calendar 2015. Group totals climbed for VW (+6% to 3.52 million passenger vehicles), PSA (+6% to 1.48 million), Renault (+9% to 1.36 million), Ford (+9% to 1.02 million), Opel (+2% to 946,200) and FCA (+14% to 872,500).

BMW Group sales grew 12% to 935,900 units last year. Rival Daimler’s volume surged 18% to 833,100. BMW brand vehicles outsold Mercedes-Benz models by 748,200 units to 737,300 units.

Demand for Asian brands advanced 21% to 210,600 vehicles in December. Full-year sales rose 12% to 2.68 million, according to ACEA.