By Mauro Orru
Passenger-car registrations in the European Union experienced varied outcomes in November, marked by robust growth in Italy and France but a contraction in the German car market.
According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), new car registrations, which reflect sales, increased by 6.7% year-on-year in the EU bloc, reaching 885,581 units. This marks the 16th consecutive month of growth. Notably, Italy witnessed a significant boost of 16%, while France recorded a noteworthy increase of 14%.
However, the German car market, often considered a key indicator in the EU, suffered a contraction of 5.7%. The unexpected drop in business sentiment in Germany over the past four months contributed to this decline.
ACEA data reveals that among the major EU car manufacturers, BMW and Volkswagen experienced significant growth with registrations jumping by 15% and 11% respectively. On the other hand, Stellantis saw a decline of 7.3%.
In terms of electric vehicles, registrations for new battery-electric cars saw a substantial increase of 16% in November, totaling 144,378 units. Belgium witnessed remarkable growth, more than doubling its performance from the previous year, positioning itself as the fifth-largest market by volume.
It is evident that while the European car market experienced positive developments in November, challenges persist, particularly in Germany. The rise of electric vehicle registrations demonstrates an increasing focus on sustainable mobility options within the region.
