European Car Sales Also Remain High

December 11, 2001

Sacramento - Similar to the strong automobile sales reports in the U.S., auto sales in Western Europe have also been enjoying a good showing, despite overall signs of recession. The up-surge in sales is being credited to tax cuts and declining fuel prices.

Positive UK consumer spending has been a major contribution but November will have produced one of the highest selling rates this year in Germany, while Italy and France have both held up well. A less positive trend in light commercial vehicle sales, which are down by 1.6% in the year-to-date, means that total light vehicle sales in Western Europe are just 0.1% ahead of the year-earlier level, on course for very much the same 16.7 million total that was seen last year. However, broadening the geographical horizon to include the countries applying to join the EU, we still have a decline of some 2.3% for the year-to-date in all light vehicle sales.