GM worst hit by fall in new car registrations

New car registrations across Europe have fallen by 14.5% compared to last year, according to new figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). General Motors was the worst hit, while Volkswagen recorded the smallest fall.

For the 27 member states of the European Union, registrations totalled 1,134,031 units in October, down 14.5% on the same time last year. The situation is worst in western Europe, where registrations are down 15.5% to 1,034,955.

Struggling car manufacturer, General Motors took the biggest hit, with registrations down 25.2%. Volkswagen had the smallest fall, down 7.6%.

The ACEA says: “New car registrations have now decreased for six consecutive months, most notably since the summer. Internal demand has for the moment surpassed its zenith.”

Yesterday (November 13), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that new car registrations in the UK had fallen by 23% since the same time last year, the steepest decline this year.

Total sales in the year to date were 8.8% below levels the same time last year at 1.92 million, the SMMT added, saying it was cutting its full-year sales forecast to 2.15 million vehicles from 2.26 million expected just last month.

“October has proved another difficult month for the UK motor industry,” says Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.