January’s Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate stood at 83 million units annually, consistent with the previous month, according to the latest data just published by LMC Automotive.* Global supply constraints remain a key issue with some “distortions from tax changes,” in the respected consultancy’s view. Monthly registrations were down 8% year-on-year (YoY), at 6million units for the month.

“China’s market had a sluggish start in 2023 with raw sales down 33% YoY, largely due to the spike in national COVID-19 infections and the termination of the tax incentives. Both North America and Western Europe had positive YoY growth in January, but this should not be over-emphasized as 2022 was a weak base of comparison. Eastern Europe, on the other hand, continued to suffer YoY negative growth,” LMC said.