Western Europe’s car market declined by 2.8% in September according to data released by LMC Automotive.
LMC also said the September annualised selling rate (SAAR) slipped back to 14.2m units a year from 14.5m in August.
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September was a mixed month in Europe’s biggest national car markets. In a key month for UK car registrations, the market fell 9.3%, reflecting weaker consumer sentiment and political uncertainty (although the UK car market annualised selling rate was still 2.43m units a year). The UK’s car market is down 3.9% cumulatively this year to the end of September.
Germany’s car market also fell back last month, though it remains on course to comfortably surpass 3.4m units this year. LMC also said there is scope for further market growth in Germany in the coming years.
The French market made a further step in the right direction last month, supported by a stronger labour market. The ongoing reduction in unemployment in Spain, and positive economic growth rates ensure that car market remains on a growth trajectory.
The Italian market was, once again, the strongest performer (in YoY terms) last month among the major markets; the market is on course to near the 2m units mark for the year.
For 2017 overall, LMC forecasts the West European market to grow to over 14.3m units (+2.7%). However, growth is forecast to slow to just under 1% in 2018, with the UK market, in particular, acting as a drag.
