Tuesday, August 19, 2008
European new car sales suffer from economic uncertainty
Volumes slide 5.3 per cent in July
Economic uncertainty across Europe is continuing to influence the new car market.
Registrations in July fell 5.3 per cent year-on-year to almost 1.26 million units and are now 2.5 per cent down over the year-to-date at 9.46 million sales, according to latest industry sales figures from Jato.
While sales in the mature European markets slowed, volumes in the emerging regions in central and eastern Europe remained robust.
Nasir Shah, global business development director at Jato, said: “Most countries are feeling the pinch as a combination of high fuel prices and economic uncertainty across Europe filter down to the consumer.
“Yet while markets including the UK and Spain show negative growth, Central and Eastern Europe has reported healthy sales virtually across the board.
“There is cause for optimism in Western Europe as well as new models defy overall trends by posting healthy sales.”
Volkswagen was again Europe’s bestselling brand in July, followed by Ford, Opel/Vauxhall, Renault and Peugeot.
The German carmaker was also top in the bestellers list with the Golf, which racked up sales of almost 40,000 units.
The Peugeot 207 was second, followed by the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra and Corsa.
DATED: 19.08.08
FEED: MT
Economic uncertainty across Europe is continuing to influence the new car market.
Registrations in July fell 5.3 per cent year-on-year to almost 1.26 million units and are now 2.5 per cent down over the year-to-date at 9.46 million sales, according to latest industry sales figures from Jato.
While sales in the mature European markets slowed, volumes in the emerging regions in central and eastern Europe remained robust.
Nasir Shah, global business development director at Jato, said: “Most countries are feeling the pinch as a combination of high fuel prices and economic uncertainty across Europe filter down to the consumer.
“Yet while markets including the UK and Spain show negative growth, Central and Eastern Europe has reported healthy sales virtually across the board.
“There is cause for optimism in Western Europe as well as new models defy overall trends by posting healthy sales.”
Volkswagen was again Europe’s bestselling brand in July, followed by Ford, Opel/Vauxhall, Renault and Peugeot.
The German carmaker was also top in the bestellers list with the Golf, which racked up sales of almost 40,000 units.
The Peugeot 207 was second, followed by the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra and Corsa.
DATED: 19.08.08
FEED: MT
