Uncertainty drives down new car sales
New car registrations in Germany fell in June and have been generally low for the first half of 2013, data released on Tuesday showed. They are a key measure of demand in one of the most crucial sectors of Europe's top economy.
Some 282,913 cars were registered last month, a drop of 4.7 percent compared to sales in the same month in 2012, according to the Federal Transport Motor Authority (KBA).
In the first six months of this year, 1.503 million cars were registered, 8.1 percent fewer than in the same period a year earlier, KBA said in a statement.
“None of us are happy with this development,” head of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) Matthias Wissmann said. He added that German consumers were, despite low unemployment, still uneasy in the face of the euro crisis.
The European car industry, as well as just Germany's, has been hard hit by first the financial crisis and then by the effects of the eurozone debt crisis.
However, top German manufacturers have resisted better than many other carmakers in Europe, particularly with the export of high-quality cars.
AFP/DPA/The Local/jcw
Comments
See Also
Some 282,913 cars were registered last month, a drop of 4.7 percent compared to sales in the same month in 2012, according to the Federal Transport Motor Authority (KBA).
In the first six months of this year, 1.503 million cars were registered, 8.1 percent fewer than in the same period a year earlier, KBA said in a statement.
“None of us are happy with this development,” head of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) Matthias Wissmann said. He added that German consumers were, despite low unemployment, still uneasy in the face of the euro crisis.
The European car industry, as well as just Germany's, has been hard hit by first the financial crisis and then by the effects of the eurozone debt crisis.
However, top German manufacturers have resisted better than many other carmakers in Europe, particularly with the export of high-quality cars.
AFP/DPA/The Local/jcw
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.