European new-car sales fell 7.4 percent in January after changes to emissions rules and consumer-incentive programs hit demand.
Registrations dropped to 1.135 million vehicles in the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, industry association ACEA said yesterday and reported by Automotive News Europe.
Ford’s sales fell most among major brands in January, down 19 percent, followed by Renault Group with registrations down 16 percent and PSA Group, whose sales dropped 14 percent.
At PSA, a 27 percent drop in Opel/Vauxhall sales weighed on the automaker, followed by a 9.2 percent fall in Peugeot registrations and an 8 percent decline in Citroen’s volume. Upscale brand DS saw sales rise 47 percent.
Volkswagen Group’s sales were flat. Among VW Group brands, Porsche gained 68 percent, Seat was up 9.2 percent and Audi gained 8.5 percent while VW brand was down 6.4 percent and Skoda’s volume dropped by 2.3 percent. As recently as the mid-2000s, the concept of a connected car was limited to maps and music. Now, as we begin a new decade, the market for hardware and software systems inside these connected vehicles is expected to reach $12.7 billion by 2030, according to a new report from Lux Research.
Toyota’s group bucked the downward trend with sales up 10 percent. Hyundai sales fell 3.9 percent, with Kia’s volume flat.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles saw its registrations decline by 6.4 percent, with Alfa Romeo down 31 percent, Jeep down 13 percent and Fiat sales falling 2.1 percent.
Daimler’s sales fell 10 percent, dragged down by as 88 percent plunge in Smart sales as the microbrand goes all-electric. Mercedes-Benz sales dropped 1.4 percent. BMW and Mini sales rose 3.8 percent.
