EU passenger car registrations up in November

Brussels – EU demand for new passenger cars increased by 4.9% year-on-year in November, marking the third consecutive month of growth this year.

The improvement was, due in large part, to low prior-year comparison rates, as registration rates fell 8% year-on-year in November 2018, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

This year, with the exception of the UK which posted a negative 1.3% development, all major European markets registered growth. Car sales rose 9.7% in Germany, followed by a 2.3% growth in Spain, 2.2% growth in Italy and a marginal increase of 0.7% in France.

Over the first 11 months of the year, car registrations across the EU were almost back at last year’s, showing a slight 0.3% decline. 

Despite strong results over the last three months, four of the five major EU markets declined from January to November, most notably Spain with a 5.7% decline and the UK with a 2.7 drop. 

Posting a 3.9% improvement, Germany was the only big market that recorded growth so far in 2019.