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European car sales suffer worst June total since 1996 | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
New car sales in Europe suffered their worst June since 1996 with demand falling to 1.134 million vehicles, down 5.6% from the same month last year. | New car sales in Europe suffered their worst June since 1996 with demand falling to 1.134 million vehicles, down 5.6% from the same month last year. |
It brought sales for the first half of the year to 6.205 million cars, a 6.6% fall, the carmakers' body ACEA said. | It brought sales for the first half of the year to 6.205 million cars, a 6.6% fall, the carmakers' body ACEA said. |
The UK was the only major car market to expand, with sales up 13.4% in June and 10% for the six months. | The UK was the only major car market to expand, with sales up 13.4% in June and 10% for the six months. |
European car sales have seen an almost uninterrupted fall for two years, due mainly to recession in the eurozone. | European car sales have seen an almost uninterrupted fall for two years, due mainly to recession in the eurozone. |
They saw a small rise in April, but that was followed by a big fall in May. | They saw a small rise in April, but that was followed by a big fall in May. |
The figures relate to the 27 countries in the European Union plus those in the European Free Trade Association. | The figures relate to the 27 countries in the European Union plus those in the European Free Trade Association. |
Between January and June, sales in Germany fell 8.1% from a year earlier and in France they were down 11.2%. Spanish sales fell 4.9%, while Italy suffered a 10.3% decline. | Between January and June, sales in Germany fell 8.1% from a year earlier and in France they were down 11.2%. Spanish sales fell 4.9%, while Italy suffered a 10.3% decline. |
Unemployment and austerity measures have curbed consumer spending. With car sales falling to a 17-year low in 2012, European carmakers cut both prices and manufacturing capacity but they have largely failed to arrest the decline. | Unemployment and austerity measures have curbed consumer spending. With car sales falling to a 17-year low in 2012, European carmakers cut both prices and manufacturing capacity but they have largely failed to arrest the decline. |
France's Peugeot, which is cutting 8,000 jobs and closing a factory in the country, was one of the biggest sales casualties last month among the main carmakers. Its sales fell 9.3% in June. | France's Peugeot, which is cutting 8,000 jobs and closing a factory in the country, was one of the biggest sales casualties last month among the main carmakers. Its sales fell 9.3% in June. |
Winners in June included Seat, with sales up 12.2%, and Renault-owned Dacia, up 17%. | Winners in June included Seat, with sales up 12.2%, and Renault-owned Dacia, up 17%. |
Among luxury carmakers, Mercedes sales bucked the market decline again with a 2% monthly gain. BMW fell 7.7%, and VW's Audi dropped 8.9%. | Among luxury carmakers, Mercedes sales bucked the market decline again with a 2% monthly gain. BMW fell 7.7%, and VW's Audi dropped 8.9%. |
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