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New car sales rise 6% to 1.7m in Europe in March New car sales in Europe rise to near pre-crisis levels
(about 2 hours later)
New car sales rose again in Europe last month, close to levels last seen in March 2007, before the financial and economic crisis hit the car industry.New car sales rose again in Europe last month, close to levels last seen in March 2007, before the financial and economic crisis hit the car industry.
Volkswagen, however, posted another dip in sales as the fallout from the diesel emissions scandal continues. Sales of VWs fell 1.6%, but the German manufacturer’s other brands Audi, Skoda, Seat and Porsche all recorded increases. Audi and Skoda were up 8.5% and 8% respectively. Volkswagen, however, posted another dip in sales as the fallout from the diesel emissions scandal continues. Sales of VWs fell 1.6%, but the German manufacturer’s other brands Audi, Skoda, Seat and Porsche all recorded increases. Audi and Skoda were up 8.5% and 8%, respectively.
New car registrations in the EU rose by 6% from a year earlier to 1.74m last month, marking the 31st consecutive month of growth, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.New car registrations in the EU rose by 6% from a year earlier to 1.74m last month, marking the 31st consecutive month of growth, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.
Related: UK records highest monthly car sales in almost 20 yearsRelated: UK records highest monthly car sales in almost 20 years
Most European countries saw sales go up in March, but in Spain they were down 0.7%, and in Germany, Europe’s biggest car market, sales were flat. Denmark and Greece were also down. Most European countries recorded a rise in sales in March, although in Spain they were down 0.7%, and in Germany, Europe’s biggest car market, sales remained flat. Denmark and Greece were also down.
As Easter fell in March, the number of sales days were reduced compared to last year. Among the major markets, Italy enjoyed the strongest growth, with sales up 17.4%, followed by France, which posted a 7.5% increase and the UK, at 5.3%. As Easter fell in March, the number of sales days were reduced compared with last year. Among the major markets, Italy enjoyed the strongest growth, with sales up 17.4%, followed by France, which posted a 7.5% increase and the UK, at 5.3%.
Prof Christian Stadler of Warwick Business School said that VW had suffered a downturn, but not a massive one, showing that as past scandals have shown, “people are often quick to move on and forget”. Prof Christian Stadler of Warwick Business School said that VW had suffered a downturn, though not a massive one, showing that as past scandals have shown, “people are often quick to move on and forget”.
He said: “That the VW brand has been hit more than others is no surprise, but, considering the furore of ‘dieselgate’ we have definitely not witnessed the demise of the Volkswagen Group that some expected.”He said: “That the VW brand has been hit more than others is no surprise, but, considering the furore of ‘dieselgate’ we have definitely not witnessed the demise of the Volkswagen Group that some expected.”
He added that Volkswagen’s product mix was a bigger concern; for example, it does not have any new SUV models, and it has been outpaced by its Japanese rival Toyota.He added that Volkswagen’s product mix was a bigger concern; for example, it does not have any new SUV models, and it has been outpaced by its Japanese rival Toyota.
“Over in China it does not really have a cheap mid-range SUV that the market is after. This is a problem it has been aware of for years,” Stadler said.“Over in China it does not really have a cheap mid-range SUV that the market is after. This is a problem it has been aware of for years,” Stadler said.