In March of this year, sales of new cars in the European Union again demonstrated the fall – already the 6th month in a row. 

compared with March of last year the level of sales fell by 7%, so the number of cars sold in March 2012, reached its minimum since 1998.

In the message of Association of European automakers said that in March the EC has sold only 1.45 million new cars – this is the lowest figure for that month since 1998. Since the beginning of 2012 the level of sales also fell by 7.7% compared to the first quarter of 2011.

According to experts, sales are falling because of fears of Europeans who are afraid of the crisis. The maximum decrease was recorded in March in Portugal-49.2%, Greece-by 42.6%, in Cyprus – 35% in Italy – 26.7%, France – 23.2%, and in Spain – only 4.5%. While some EU countries reported increases in car sales. In Finland in March, it sold 82 percent more cars than in March 2011, in Estonia-28.5%, Austria-5.8%, Germany-by 3.4%.

In France and Italy, whose consumers often choose national brands, reduced the number of sales caused the drop in sales from local companies. In particular, Peugeot-Citroen in March, lost 19.4 percent, Renault Group –20.6 per cent, Fiat – 26.1 per cent. Sales of German automakers showed a slight increase. So, the Volkswagen Group notes an increase of 1.3%, Daimler – by 4.3%, and Bavarian BMW – is up 3.1%.

Source: http://www.motorpage.ru/news/68754/

source: Kommersant