EU new car demand falls 11% in May

Brussels – European Union passenger car registrations slipped back by 11.2% year-on-year to 791,546 units during the month of May, making it the tenth consecutive month of decline.

All four key EU markets recorded double-digit losses, led by Italy with a 15.1% year-on-year fall, announced the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) 16 June.

Spain, Germany and France also posted 10.9%, 10.2% and 10.1% declines respectively, during the month.

Over the first five months of the year, total registrations of new passenger cars were down 13.7% compared to the same period last year.

According to ACEA, sales of new cars have retreated in most markets in the region, including the four major ones.

Year-to-date, Italy has posted a 24.3% drop, followed by France, Spain and Germany which posted declines of 16.9%, 11.5% and 9.3% respectively.