Admiral logoRussian Dolls top banner

MultiCar Insurance

Combine cars on
one policy for
MultiCar discounts.

Start a quote

Find out more

Retrieve a quote

Single-Car Insurance

Great value car insurance
quotes crammed with plenty
of features.

Start a quote

Find out more

Retrieve a quote

Give us a call

Talk to a friendly
member of staff.

Single-Car Insurance

0844 543 4416

MultiCar Insurance

0844 848 4316

Back to Motoring news

Motoring news

European car sales down on 2008

15/01/2010

European car sales finished 2009 strongly, according to the latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), but fewer vehicles were sold than in 2008.

Passenger car registrations in December were 16% up on their level in December 2008, and since June 2009 have shown a month-by-month increase over last year's figures. However, poor trading in the first five months of the year meant that overall sales for 2009 were 1.6% lower than in 2008.

In total, 14,481,545 new cars were registered last year across the 27 EU member nations and the European Free Trade Association states, which include Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. While only a slight fall on the comparatively weak sales seen in 2008, the figure represents a 9.5% decrease compared to 2007.

The UK was hit harder than the European average, with 2009 sales 6.4% down on the previous year. Despite this, the domestic motor industry has repeatedly hailed the positive effect that the Government's car scrappage scheme has had on sales. In addition, the only countries in which sales improved during 2009 - Germany, France and Austria - all had sales boosted by scrappage schemes.

However, while Germany saw a 23.2% sales increase in 2009 - the highest in Europe - the country's sales declined in December after its scrappage scheme finished.

ACEA secretary-general Ivan Hodac told BBC News that volume manufacturers such as Volkswagen - which was announced as the world's largest in November - had benefitted the most from scrappage schemes. However, they also have the most to lose, he said.

"2010 will be extremely difficult for these companies," Hodac added.

Meanwhile the UK Government announced today that there is funding left for 82,000 more vehicles under the scrappage incentive, which is due to expire at the end of February unless the money - which is fixed - runs out first.