Detailed data from Germany’s federal bureau for motor vehicles and drivers, the Kraftfahrt Bundesamt (KBA), shows that premium car manufacturers were the biggest loses in May’s weak market, while the mini car segment boomed.
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According to the KBA, the German car market was down 6.2% in May to 275,259 vehicles. Year-to-date, sales were up 4.2% to 1.33m cars but demand in the mini segment was up 15.3%. The main models here are the Smart Fortwo, Renault Twingo and Fiat 500.
Ford saw sales grew 9.2% in the month, and Opel also saw some growth (+1%). Audi, Mercedes and Porsche all posted double-digit declines, with Audi’s sales down 16.3%, Mercedes down 13.1% and Porsche down 13%.
Other strong declines were recorded by Toyota (-20.5%), Mazda (-30.4%) and Mitsubishi (-41.1%). In a statement, the KBA noted that Toyota is now selling fewer cars than Peugeot.
