EU car registrations rise in May

Brussels - Car registrations in the 26 countries of the EU and EFTA rose by nearly 10 percent in May over a year ago, due largely to differences in holiday days. Over the first five months of the year, however, registrations are 2.4 percent up on the same period a year ago.

Total new passenger car registrations in Europe (EU-23 + EFTA) in May 2006 amounted to 1,422,408 units. The figures from ACEA were accompanied by a statement, "Among the five main markets, four posted an increase for the month: Italy (+49.5%), Germany (+8.7%), the U.K.

(+1.1%) and Spain (+0.5%). The high figure for Italy has to be put into perspective, as the month of May last year was disrupted by the strike of new car transporters. Only France (-3.3%) reported a loss for May 2006. Among the other ten EU-15 countries, only Portugal (-6.3%) shows a loss, while increases range from +30.9% in Luxembourg to +1% in Ireland. With regard to cumulative figures, nine countries show growth, ranging from +17.8% in Belgium to +0.8% in Austria, while the remaining six countries report losses, comprised between -4.3% in the U.K. and -0.7% in Spain.

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