Europe’s new car market shows no sign of recovery in August

According to the latest analysis from leading global provider of automotive intelligence JATO Dynamics, the overall European new car market continued to fall in August 2012.

Key findings:

• The European new car market declined by 8.4% in August

• Spain recorded the largest rise in sales out of the ‘Big Five’, ahead of the Spanish VAT increase in September

• Among the top 10 brands, only Audi and Mercedes recorded a sales increase in August

• Peugeot’s new 208 continues to perform well as it climbed into the top three behind Volkswagen’s Golf and Polo models

Audi claimed second place behind Volkswagen for the month following a good performance in Germany with increased sales of the A4, A1 and Q3. This further demonstrates the challenges facing the non-premium manufacturers. Mercedes was the only other brand in the top 10 to increase sales for the month.

Just outside the top 10, Skoda, Kia, Dacia and Honda recorded increased sales for August. Honda has been particularly successful in Great Britain following its recent announcement to make further manufacturing investment in the market.

The Volkswagen Golf continues to be Europe’s best-selling car, despite sales falling by 12.9 percent compared to August 2011. The Volkswagen Polo is second despite a 22.3 percent fall in August sales, while Peugeot’s new 208 has climbed to third place in the sales charts, ahead of rivals Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and Renault Clio. Combined sales of 207 and 208 exceed those of the second placed Volkswagen Polo in August, and would achieve fifth place for the Year-to-Date.

The recently revamped Audi A4 came in at 10th position for the month and was the only one of the remaining top 10 models to record an increase in sales, of 4.3 percent over August 2011.

Outside the top 10 it was new or recently revised models, such as the Toyota Yaris, Mercedes-Benz B-class, Volkswagen Tiguan, Fiat Panda, Volkswagen Up and BMW 1-Series that saw improved sales compared to August 2011.

Commenting on the findings, Gareth Hession, vice-president, research at JATO, said: “August has been another tough month for the European new car market. Economic conditions, holiday periods and the expected slow month in the UK ahead of September’s registration plate change have conspired to depress sales across the region. Against this background the 208’s performance is impressive.”