With a 13.3% increase in new car registrations in December 2013, the EU* recorded the largest monthly year-on-year growth since December 2009 (+16.6%). However, in absolute figures, the results were the third lowest to date for a month of December** with a total of 906,294 units.
From January to December, the EU market recorded a total of 11,850, 905 new cars. With a contraction of 1.7% in 2013, new car registrations have been on the decline for six consecutive years. In terms of annual volumes, 2013 is the worst year since 1995 (15 EU countries at the time), and the worst ever since ACEA began the series in 2003 with the enlarged EU.
In December, most EU markets posted growth, as did all the major ones, from +1.4% in Italy, to +5.4% in Germany, +9.4% in France, +18.2% in Spain and +23.8% in the UK.
Over twelve months, results were more contrasted across markets. The UK recorded a double-digit growth (+10.8%), while Spain posted a more moderate upturn (+3.3%), and Germany (-4.2%), France (-5.7%) and Italy (-7.1%) saw their demand for new cars decline. Overall, the EU market recorded a total of 11,850, 905 new cars, or 1.7% less than in 2012.
* EU27, data for Malta unavailable
** since ACEA recorded new registrations in the EU27 in 2003
