European car sales dropped 7.9% in June, led by bigger declines for Nissan, Volvo and Fiat Chrysler, according to industry data published on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.
According to Reuters, registrations fell to 1.49 million cars last month from 1.62 million a year earlier across the European Union and EFTA countries, the Brussels-based Association of European Carmakers said in a statement. Calendar effects resulted in two fewer sales days in most markets, accentuating the decline.
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Registrations for the first half closed 3.1% lower, ACEA said. For European carmakers, weakening demand at home compounds the pressure from a sharper contraction in China and emerging markets that may yet bring more profit warnings.
Nissan’s aging model lineup contributed to a 26.6% June sales slump while Volvo Cars, owned by China’s Geely, saw deliveries tumble 21.7%.
Registrations also fell 13.5% last month at FCA, 10.1% at BMW, 9.6% at Volkswagen Group and 8.2% for both Mercedes parent Daimler and France’s PSA Group. The Peugeot maker’s domestic rival Renault suffered less, posting a 3.9% decline.
Yetunde Adegoke
