Source:ACEA

18 MAY 2011

New PASSENGER CAR REGISTRATIONS in the European Union (EU 27) fell for the second consecutive month, a -4.1% decline in April year-on-year to 1 089 118 million units as each major markets and the EU 10 (eastern Europe)  recorded major market contractions. Except for Germany where new registrations remained in positive territory for the fifth uninterrupted month, yet down to +2.6% in April to 266 251 cars, new registrations plunged to -11.1% in France to  169 757 vehicles, and moved up to -23.3% in Spain to 71 808. The biggest leap was nevertheless recorded by Italy where new registrations climbed   to -2.2% to 157 309 units from -27.6%. In the UK, new registrations decreased a further 7.4% and for the third month to 137 746 vehicles.

East European member states contributed in pushing down the region's new registrations further as the market contracted -5.2% to 61 172 new vehicles due to each the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, the largest markets in negative territories, respectively down to -4.2% -5.3%, -43.7% and -8%. 

EFTA countries -- Norway, Switzerland and Iceland-- recorded sustained momentum with new registrations up 7.1% to 39 209 vehicles fuelled by Switzerland 27 586 new units or +6.8% while Norway's was halved to +6.1% or 11 330 new vehicles. Iceland's more modest figures totaled 293 new acquisitions.

Per car manufacturer and on the same period, PSA Group's new registrations decreased -18.3% to 129 561 units and market share dropped substantially to 11.9% (from 14%). Renault Group's performance fared equally, down to 103 722 new vehicles or -13.1% and market penetration at 9.5% (from 10.5%).

Four months into the year, new passenger car registrations shrunk to -2.7% in the Union as the UK, Italy and Spain negative performances, respectively -8.5%, -19% and -26.3% mechanically dragged down overall figures and, despite France's +4%, and Germany's +10.7%. The EU 10 new registrations rose +3%, its lowest increase in months, impacted downwards by Poland and Romania, its largest markets but the first to dip head first to -5.3% and -17% due to lower consumer consumption.

Per manufacturer, the top ten list still counted eight household names, VW Group, GM, BMW, Daimler, Nissan, Volvo Car Corp and Mitsubishi as Hyundai's rise overtook Jaguar land Rover down to -1.2% despite its stable market share. PSA Group's market share dropped to 13.1% (from 13.9%) and new registrations to -8.5% or 611 914 new units. Renault Group's equally fell and to 462 327 new vehicles with its market share pressed to  9.9% (from 10.5%).