Passenger car registrations: +6.2% first two months of 2017; +2.2% in February

Brussels, 16 March 2017 – In February 2017, EU demand for passenger cars increased only modestly (+2.2%), especially when compared to January’s double-digit figures. February registrations totalled 1,078,490 units.

In February 2017, EU demand for passenger cars increased only modestly (+2.2%), especially when compared to January’s double-digit figures. February registrations totalled 1,078,490 units. In volume terms, however, this result comes close to February 2008 levels, just before the economic crisis hit the automotive industry. Among the major markets, France (-2.9%), Germany (-2.6%) and the UK (-0.3%) performed less well than last February, partially due to the fact that February 2017 had one working day less. Only Italy (+6.2%) and Spain (+0.2%) saw demand increase during the month. Noteworthy was the performance of the new EU member states (+15.9%), which positively contributed to the results of the region.

From January to February 2017, new passenger car registrations increased by 6.2%, totalling 2,248,022 units. Italy (+8.1%), Spain (+4.8%), Germany (+3.5%), France (+3.2%) and the United Kingdom (+1.8%) all saw their markets grow during the first two months of the year, contributing to the overall upturn of the EU market.