New car registrations in the EU fell 38.1% in the first half of 2020, showing the palpable effects of the coronavirus crisis.

EU new car registrations fell 38% in H1 2020

Figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) show the results of four consecutive months of unprecedented declines across the region. Among the four major EU markets, Spain saw the biggest decline (-50.9%) so far this year, followed by Italy (-46.1%), France (-38.6%) and Germany (-34.5%).

June registrations fell to 949,722 units, a drop of 22.3% compared to the figure of 1,222,942 for June 2019 and highlighting how consumer demand did not fully recover last month despite dealerships opening for business again after lockdown measures were lifted. But it was a slight improvement over May 2020, which saw a drop of 52.3% across the EU.

All EU markets continued to post significant declines in June, with France (+1.2%) being the only exception to the rule; the result of new incentives introduced by the French government at the beginning of June to stimulate sales of low-emission vehicles. Looking at the other major car markets, Spain (-36.7%), Germany (-32.3%) and Italy (-23.1%) all recorded double-digit drops last month.