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| Europe car sales in steep decline | Europe car sales in steep decline |
| (3 days later) | |
| New car sales in Europe fell by 14.5% in October, the sixth monthly fall in a row, said the European carmakers' association, the Acea. | New car sales in Europe fell by 14.5% in October, the sixth monthly fall in a row, said the European carmakers' association, the Acea. |
| Car sales in Ireland and Spain were the worst-affected, plummeting 54.6% and 40% respectively, in October. | Car sales in Ireland and Spain were the worst-affected, plummeting 54.6% and 40% respectively, in October. |
| Even in the new EU member states, once a source of growth, overall sales fell 3.3%, despite a 12.3% rise in Poland. | Even in the new EU member states, once a source of growth, overall sales fell 3.3%, despite a 12.3% rise in Poland. |
| With demand falling fast, manufacturers are temporarily halting production at some plants to cut their costs. | With demand falling fast, manufacturers are temporarily halting production at some plants to cut their costs. |
| Brake on sales | Brake on sales |
| In western Europe, the number of cars sold totalled 1,034,955, 15.5% lower than the same month last year. | In western Europe, the number of cars sold totalled 1,034,955, 15.5% lower than the same month last year. |
| Austria was the only western European country which posted a growth in car sales - up 4%. | Austria was the only western European country which posted a growth in car sales - up 4%. |
| The Spanish figures were the worst since 1995, while the UK and Italy saw sales drop more than 15%. | The Spanish figures were the worst since 1995, while the UK and Italy saw sales drop more than 15%. |
| We want to safeguard the competitiveness of Opel in this globally difficult situation Hans Demantmanaging director, Opel | We want to safeguard the competitiveness of Opel in this globally difficult situation Hans Demantmanaging director, Opel |
| The decline was less steep in France and Germany, where registrations fell by 7.4% and 8.2% respectively. | The decline was less steep in France and Germany, where registrations fell by 7.4% and 8.2% respectively. |
| Acea's cumulative figures for the European market, over January to October, show a fall of 5.4%, which has been blamed on the financial and economic crisis. | Acea's cumulative figures for the European market, over January to October, show a fall of 5.4%, which has been blamed on the financial and economic crisis. |
| Figures show that the worst-hit manufacturer, with sales down 49.4%, was Chrysler. | Figures show that the worst-hit manufacturer, with sales down 49.4%, was Chrysler. |
| General Motors saw sales drop 25.2%, while Volkswagen's sales figures had the smallest fall, down 7.6%. | General Motors saw sales drop 25.2%, while Volkswagen's sales figures had the smallest fall, down 7.6%. |
| State support | State support |
| General Motors said that, because of difficult financial circumstances, it would seek governmental support in foreign countries where it has significant operations and holdings, such as Germany. | General Motors said that, because of difficult financial circumstances, it would seek governmental support in foreign countries where it has significant operations and holdings, such as Germany. |
| GM is demanding state aid from five German states where it manufactures its European brand, Opel (which sells under the Vauxhall badge in the UK). | |
| "We want to safeguard the competitiveness of Opel in this globally difficult situation," said Opel managing director Hans Demant. | "We want to safeguard the competitiveness of Opel in this globally difficult situation," said Opel managing director Hans Demant. |
| He said German politicians were prepared to consider prompt support measures. | He said German politicians were prepared to consider prompt support measures. |
| General Motors added that the German state guarantees would only be used for product development and industrial facilities in the region and would not be used outside of Europe. | General Motors added that the German state guarantees would only be used for product development and industrial facilities in the region and would not be used outside of Europe. |