Despite the longstanding trend that August along with February are the two slow months in EU light vehicle sales, August saw demand increase 11% with growth in all major markets as the European recovery continues. Registrations in Spain (+23.3%), Italy (+10.6%), France (+10.0%), the UK (+9.6%) and Germany (+6.2%) increased compared to August 2014.
Across the region, new passenger car registrations totaled 744,799 units.
During the eight months in 2015, new passenger car registrations increased (+8.6%), surpassing 9 million Units (9,056,539). All major markets posted growth, contributing to the overall upturn of the EU market over the period. Southern European countries in particular are enjoying strong growth, with Spain (+22.3%) and Italy (+15.0%) posting double‐digit percentage gains, followed by the UK (+6.7%), France (+5.9%) and Germany (+5.6%).
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
