European car registrations rose 11% in October

ERJ staff report (DS)

Brussels -- In October, contrasting performances in Western Europe (+15.8 percent) and the new EU Member States (-36.9 percent) resulted in an overall growth of the European new car market by 11.2 percent compared to a marked decrease (-14.4 percent) in October 2008. From January to October, registrations declined by 5 percent, amounting to 12,206,381 units. The month of October counted on average one working day less this year across the region.

In Western Europe, new car registrations totaled 1,200,861 units in October, or 15.8 percent more than in October last year, mostly led by an increase in the major markets and supported by fleet renewal incentives.

Ten months into the year, results were down 3 percent with a total of 12,206,381 new vehicles registered. Only Germany (+25.9 percent), France (+4.2 percent) and Austria (+6.3 percent) recorded a plus. Demand for new cars decreased in Spain (-24.4 percent), the UK (-12.3 percent) and Italy (-3.9 percent).

In the new EU Member States, new car registrations dropped by 36.9 percent in October. The Czech Republic was the only country to post growth (+8.8 percent). Elsewhere, the downturn ranged from 8.4 percent (Poland) to 81.6 percent (Latvia). From January to September, the decline was 29.6 percent in the region. Slovakia (+13.5 percent), the Czech Republic (+8.1 percent) and Poland (+0.6 percent) saw their markets expand while all others contracted sharply.

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Press release from ACEA