EU passenger car registrations decrease 5.5 % in 2010

ACEA says the 2010 results were marked by the ending of government fleet renewal schemes in many EU countries. Registrations in December amounted to 1,009,638 units, 3.2 % less than a year earlier. In December, demand for new cars declined significantly in Spain (–23.9 %), Italy (–21.7 %) and the UK (–18.0 %). The French market remained stable (–0.7 %) while the German expanded by 6.9 %. From January to December, the situation varied across the major markets, leading to an overall 5.5 % downturn over 2010. Where Spain and the UK saw new car registrations increase by 3.1 % and 1.8 % respectively, Germany recorded a 23.4 % decline. The Italian (–9.2 %) and the French (–2.2 %) markets also contracted. The biggest increase was observed in Ireland where the market grew by 54.7 % after the sharp 62.1 % drop in 2009. Bulgaria recorded the steepest downturn (–28.9 %).