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.
