There was a 13.3% increase in new car registrations during December 2013 in the 27 countries that comprise the EU. This was the largest monthly year-on-year growth since December 2009 (+16.6%). However, in absolute figures, the results were the third lowest since ACEA starting tracking new registrations in the EU27 (starting in 2003) for a December with 906,294 units.
The automaker trade group says that from January to December, the EU market recorded 11,850, 905 new cars. With a decrease of -1.7% in 2013, European new car registrations have been on the decline for six consecutive years. In terms of annual volumes, 2013 is the worst year since 1995 (15 EU countries at the time), and the worst ever since ACEA began in 2003 with the enlarged EU.
In December, most EU markets posted growth, as did all the major ones, from +1.4% in Italy, to +5.4% in Germany, +9.4% in France, +18.2% in Spain and +23.8% in the UK.
Over twelve months, results were mixed across markets. The UK recorded a double-digit growth (+10.8%), while Spain posted a more moderate upturn (+3.3%), and Germany (-4.2%), France (-5.7%) and Italy (-7.1%) saw demand for new cars decline. Overall, the EU market recorded 11,850, 905 new cars, or -1.7% less than in 2012.
Volkswagen remains the powerhouse in Europe even though the German economy is suffering.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, 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.
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 during a downshift 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.
