EU passenger car demand up 7% in 2016

Brussels – EU passenger car registrations showed a 6.8% increase in 2016, totalling 14,641,356 units and marking the third consecutive year of growth in the sector.

According to the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the trend was unimpacted by key events in 2016, such as Brexit or the Italian referendum, showing robust consumer confidence.

Italy with 15.8% growth and Spain with 10.9% growth led the major markets, followed by France at 5.1%, Germany at 4.5% and the UK at 2.3%.

On a monthly basis, December 2016 saw a 3.0% growth, to a record-breaking volume for that month of 1,143,653 units sold.

Of the five major EU markets, Italy, Spain, France and Germany showed positive growth in December while the UK posted a 1.1% drop.