This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22566394
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 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, helped by strong demand in the UK and by the early Easter break. | |
| 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. |
| While the figure was an improvement on last year, 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. | 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. | 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. | 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%. | 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 Alfa Romeo brand saw sales collapse by a third. | Fiat saw sales fall 4%, but its Alfa 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |