Sales Of New Cars In The EU Almost Stagnated In July

Car sales in the European Union almost stagnated in July, data from the Car Manufacturers’ Association ACEA showed on Thursday.

In July, around 850,000 cars were registered in the EU, only 0.2 percent more than in the same month last year, ACEA calculated. In June, sales increased by 4.3 percent. In the group of four leading markets, the results were different. Thus, Italy and Spain recorded growth of 4.7 and 3.4 percent, respectively, while France and Germany recorded a decline of 2.3 and 2.1 percent, respectively.

The European battery electric car market shrank in July by 10.8 percent, ACEA calculated, much more sharply than in the previous month when sales fell by one percent. Strong growth in Belgium of 44.2 percent did not compensate for the double-digit decline in Germany, of 36.8 percent, the report shows. Their share on the market in July was 12.1 percent, which was reduced compared to June when it was 14.4 percent.

In the period from January to July, the European new car market grew by 3.9 percent compared to the same period in 2023, reaching more than 6.5 million new vehicles, according to ACEA. All four leading markets recorded growth in the first seven months. In Spain, growth was 5.6 percent, in Italy 5.2 percent, in Germany 4.3 percent, and in France 2.2 percent.

The European market for battery electric cars fell by a slight 0.4 percent, with 815,399 new cars registered. Diesel sales fell by 7.9 percent, with 837,795 new cars sold. Gasoline cars, despite a 1.3 percent drop in sales, maintained their leading position with a share of 33.4 percent, while hybrid electric cars confirmed second place with a market share of 32 percent.

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