New car sales in the 27 EU countries slumped to a 20-year low in May, according to figures from the ACEA, the European automobile manufacturers’ association.
Just 1,042,742 new cars were sold in May, the lowest since May 1993, when just under a million units were sold.
The ACEA revealed that sales across the EU 27 fell by an average of 6.8 per cent year on year in the first five months of 2013. Italy’s new car market fell by 11.3 per cent and France’s by 11.9 per cent. The UK was one of the few positive markets, up 9.3 per cent over the same period.
Although some of the car makers facing significant sales falls are in the middle of model changeovers, the mainstream makers’ sales are continuing to fall dramatically, with the French manufacturers and Ford all suffering double-digit falls. Honda, which has seen sales in Europe drop dramatically, saw a healthy 11 per cent gain thanks to a new Honda Civic and Honda CR-V.
Even premium brands are suffering, with BMW falling by 1.6 per cent on the same period last year and Audi by 2.5 per cent. Volvo’s 10 per cent drop is worrying for the Swedish firm, given that both the S/V60 and V40 are still relatively young.
JLR and Mercedes were the only premium brands that made gains, with Mercedes buoyed by its new A-class range. Ailing Seat’s sales also recovered with the launch of the new Leon.
Jaguar’s global sales leapt by 63 per cent in May, driven by the F-type and niche cars such as the XF Sportbrake, but Land Rover sales fell by six per cent in the same month.
Of all the European mass-market brands, Citroën continues to be hit hardest. Sales slid by 17 per cent in the first five months of the year.
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I think it's the drop Citreon
I think it's the drop Citreon have suffered that's surprised me the most. Going by the cars I see on a daily basis, the DS range seems to be selling very well.
The JLR news is excellent. I hope their success continues.
Shut it!
Shut up you troll.
Winston ChurchiIl
Nasty Nasty! If this article had compared the sales in the UK with those in the whole of Europe (IMHO it should have done so instead of making some rather glib and inaccurate headlines) you would have seen what Rich UK was referring to. Citroen and Peugeot have done well in the UK whilst it has been the other way round for others in the atypically flourishing British market. Poor old Alfa Romeo does not seem to be doing well anywhere though.
well, I am sure the susal
well, I am sure the susal trolls will be in shortly stating that these figures have been manipulated by JLR and in fact they made no cars at all this year, and have sacked everyoneon its payroll, and no long even own anything at all in the UK.
But hey, let the little trolls have their thoughts....
Hmmm ...
No mention of Dacia's success ... Any particular reason??
Suzuki QT wrote: No mention
I'm guessing, but despite a very impressive year on year increase Dacia's total volume sold is still very low when compared to the other brands that get name checked in the article.
13 lucky for UK?
I'm seeing lot's of 13 plate cars here in Central Scotland, one of the most popular being those Dacias. I wouldn't put my money in to one but admit they have a certain trendy appeal.