June Car Sales Skid 8% in Europe

Registrations of new cars and light trucks across Europe fell 8% to 1.49 million units last month, according to trade group ACEA.

The alliance attributes most of the slippage to the calendar, which averaged two fewer selling days this year. One result: June results marked the largest monthly decline so far this year. ACEA says sales through the first half of 2019 shrank 3% to 8.43 million vehicles.

June sales retreated in all five major European national markets. Deliveries waned in Germany (-5% to 325,200 units), France (-8% to 231,000), the U.K. (-5% to 223,400), Italy (-2% to 171,600) and Spain (-8% to 130,500).

Almost all of Europe’s mass-market carmakers posted year-on-year sales shrinkage last month. Sales retreated for Volkswagen Group (-10% to 367,000 units), PSA Group (-8% to 238,000), Renault Group (-4% to 188,600), Hyundai-Kia (-3% to 95,700) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (-14% to 90,200).

Sales ebbed in June for Europe’s luxury brands too. Registrations fell for BMW (-11% to 78,200 units), Mercedes-Benz (-7% to 74,000), Audi (-9% to 71,900), Land Rover (-3% to 12,900) and Jaguar (-6% to 7,000).

Toyota-Lexus, who volume rose 2% to 73,800 vehicles, was the sole exception to the market’s decline. Mazda’s sales in June were flat at 21,600 units.