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European car sales in first rise for 18 months | European car sales in first rise for 18 months |
(about 1 hour later) | |
New car sales across Europe rose in April for the first time in 18 months, boosted by strong demand in the UK. | New car sales across Europe rose in April for the first time in 18 months, boosted by strong demand in the UK. |
Registrations rose 1.8% to 1.08 million in April, compared with a year ago. The last rise was in September 2011, said the industry association, ACEA. | Registrations rose 1.8% to 1.08 million in April, compared with a year ago. The last rise was in September 2011, said the industry association, ACEA. |
But although the figure was an improvement on last year, in absolute numbers it was the third lowest total for April on record. | But although the figure was an improvement on last year, in absolute numbers it was the third lowest total for April on record. |
However, UK sales were 15% higher and were the best for April in five years. | |
Without the UK figures, registrations would have recorded another fall. | Without the UK figures, registrations would have recorded another fall. |
Seasonal factors, in that most of Europe had two more selling days last month thanks to the Easter holiday falling in March this year, also flattered the figures. | |
Downturn | Downturn |
Demand for new cars across Europe fell to a 17-year low last year, with most economies weak, or in recession, and unemployment hitting record highs. | Demand for new cars across Europe fell to a 17-year low last year, with most economies weak, or in recession, and unemployment hitting record highs. |
For the first four months of the year, overall volumes were down 7%, compared with the same period a year ago. | |
Car manufacturers have seen sales of their smaller, mass-market models fall off, with lower income buyers unable to afford new cars in the economic downturn. | Car manufacturers have seen sales of their smaller, mass-market models fall off, with lower income buyers unable to afford new cars in the economic downturn. |
Peugeot Citroen saw both of its main brands lose sales, with Peugeot sales falling 7.5% and Citroen down 13%. | |
Fiat saw sales fall 4%, but its Alpha Romeo brand saw sales collapse by a third. | |
Seat, which is owned by Volkswagen, saw sales jump by 35%. Most of Seat's sales are in Spain, a country that saw car sales rise 10.8% despite the torpid state of its economy. | |
Regionally, results varied widely across markets. | |
As well as strong growth in the UK and Spain, Germany's sales rose by 3.8%. But in France sales fell by 5.3% and Italy saw a drop of 10.8% in registrations. |