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Ford, Peugeot Citroën and Toyota lead European car sales to new low Ford, Peugeot Citroën and Toyota drive European car sales to new low
(35 minutes later)
Ford, PSA Peugeot Citroën and Toyota led European car sales to a new low in January, kicking off 2013 with an 8.5% decline, according to the association of European carmakers.Ford, PSA Peugeot Citroën and Toyota led European car sales to a new low in January, kicking off 2013 with an 8.5% decline, according to the association of European carmakers.
Registrations fell to 918,280 new cars, Brussels-based industry body the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) said, making it the slowest January since its records began in 1990.Registrations fell to 918,280 new cars, Brussels-based industry body the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) said, making it the slowest January since its records began in 1990.
Ford, which is cutting back its European production capacity with three plant closures to stem regional losses, recorded a 26% sales plunge to 61,544 cars. Peugeot and Toyota posted the next biggest declines among major carmakers, dropping 16% each.Ford, which is cutting back its European production capacity with three plant closures to stem regional losses, recorded a 26% sales plunge to 61,544 cars. Peugeot and Toyota posted the next biggest declines among major carmakers, dropping 16% each.
After falling to a 17-year low in 2012, European car demand is expected to contract further this year, squeezing mass-market brands still harder between excess capacity and cut-throat pricing. Most carmakers see the regional market shrinking between 3% and 5% in 2013.After falling to a 17-year low in 2012, European car demand is expected to contract further this year, squeezing mass-market brands still harder between excess capacity and cut-throat pricing. Most carmakers see the regional market shrinking between 3% and 5% in 2013.
Hopes for a broader eurozone economic upturn have yet to percolate to the car industry.Hopes for a broader eurozone economic upturn have yet to percolate to the car industry.
Germany in particular is weighing on the outlook. After resisting much of last year's slump, Europe's biggest car market is in sharp decline, extended by an 8.6% drop in January.Germany in particular is weighing on the outlook. After resisting much of last year's slump, Europe's biggest car market is in sharp decline, extended by an 8.6% drop in January.
Despite weak demand at home, Volkswagen increased its share of European sales. Its registrations fell 5.5% in January, a more modest decline than the market's, as the premium Audi nameplate fell just 2.1%. Despite weak demand at home, Volkswagen increased its share of European sales. Its registrations fell 5.5% in January, a more modest decline than the market's, as the premium Audi nameplate fell just 2.1%. Its two German luxury rivals proved even more resilient, with BMW brand sales rising 9.4% and Daimler's Mercedes-Benz gaining 4.7%.
Its two German luxury rivals proved even more resilient, with BMW brand sales rising 9.4% and Daimler's Mercedes-Benz gaining 4.7%.
South Korea's Kia also fared well, with registrations surging 7.7%, while affiliate Hyundai's sales fell just 2.2%.South Korea's Kia also fared well, with registrations surging 7.7%, while affiliate Hyundai's sales fell just 2.2%.
Italy's Fiat group posted a 12.4% sales decline, despite a more modest 4% drop for the carmaker's namesake brand.Italy's Fiat group posted a 12.4% sales decline, despite a more modest 4% drop for the carmaker's namesake brand.
The upscale Alfa Romeo marque, upon which Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne is building his recovery strategy for the group, saw its European sales collapse 37% in January.The upscale Alfa Romeo marque, upon which Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne is building his recovery strategy for the group, saw its European sales collapse 37% in January.