EU new car sales fall 76% in April

Brussels – New-car registrations in the European Union fell 76.3% year-on-year to 270,682 units during the month of April, registering the sharpest monthly drop in car demand since records began.

With most showrooms closed for the entire month, each of the 27 EU markets recorded double-digit declines in April, reported the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) 19 May.

Italy and Spain endured the biggest losses, with car registrations falling by 97.6% and 96.5% respectively. 

In other major markets, demand dropped by 61.1% in Germany, while France saw an 88.8% contraction in April.

Over the first four months of the year, EU demand for new passenger cars contracted by 38.5%, owing to the negative impact of the coronavirus on March and April results. 

Registrations fell by half in three of the four key EU markets as Italy, Spain and France registered declines of -50.7%, 48.9% and 48.0% respectively.

In Germany, demand contracted by 31.0% over the first four months of 2020.