New car sales data for the first half of 2011 showed that, despite what was looking like an improving market, sales across Europe were slightly down year on year, according to JATO Dynamics. Although there was uplift in sales during May, total sales in June 2011 fell 7.8%.
Key points from this analyst include:
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The European market dropped 1.4% (104,900 units) during H1 2011 compared to the same period last year and by 7.8% in June.
Overall, European markets struggled during H1 2011, with GB, Italy, Spain and Greece, down 7.1%, 13.2%, 26.9% and 43.6% respectively.
Only Ford and Audi experienced sales increases during June, both helped by the launch of new models.
Volkswagen retained and consolidateed its position as Europe’s leading brand, selling 880,308 units during H1 2011.
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By GlobalDataJATO research head Gareth Hession said: “Despite some positive signs earlier this year, on-going economic instability in many markets has kept many people away from dealerships. The success of new models such as the new Ford Focus and Audi’s A1 demonstrates the importance of having products that are fresh as well as competitively positioned in a difficult market.”
National Trends
Similar to Q1 2011, only two of the ‘big five’ European markets showed positive growth during H1 2011: France and Germany were up 1.0% and 10.5% respectively while Great Britain, Italy and Spain were down 7.1%, 13.2% and 26.9%. Of these markets, Germany experienced the greatest unit growth in H1, up 153,788 units, while Spain saw the biggest decline, down 162,928 units.
Sales in Central and Eastern Europe performed consistently well during 2011 as automotive markets expand in the region. Poland was particularly good, up 22.9% in June and 22.8% during the first half of the year.
Brand Performance
Despite sales dipping 4.3% in June, Volkswagen remained Europe’s leading brand, extending its lead over rivals, with sales up 5.9% over the last six months. German brands continue to perform well in 2011 with Audi, BMW and Mercedes all experiencing increases of 8.7%, 8.4% and 0.6% respectively.
June saw increases for only two of the top 10 brands, Ford and Audi, up 0.7% and 9.2% respectively, largely due to the significant sales of the Focus and the new A1.
Outside of the top 10 brands, Asian manufacturers, Nissan and Hyundai, have had positive performances, increasing 16.8% and 10.5% respectively during H1. Toyota experienced a decrease of 9.9% for the same period.
Hession said: “Consumer perception of quality, high standard equipment levels and strong residual values are critical factors in the success of the German brands. Their success is supported not only by their traditional customer base, who being typically more affluent, are more confident purchasers during these tough economic times, but also from consumers who are looking for security from their hard earned investment.”
Model Performance
Volkswagen’s Golf maintained its leading position in Europe, selling 253,288 units in the first half of the year. The success of the re-launched Ford Focus and VW Passat meant these were the only two models in the top 10 to experience growth in June and during H1.
Sales by market
|
Country |
Jun_11 |
Jun_10 |
% Change Jun |
Jun YtD_11 |
Jun YtD_10 |
% Change YtD |
|
Austria |
32,018 |
32,957 |
-2.8% |
187,593 |
169,676 |
+10.6% |
|
Belgium |
48,353 |
53,872 |
-10.2% |
326,445 |
320,203 |
+1.9% |
|
Cyprus |
1,140 |
1,383 |
-17.6% |
7,201 |
7,313 |
-1.5% |
|
Czech Republic |
16,156 |
18,515 |
-12.7% |
88,284 |
88,960 |
-0.8% |
|
Denmark |
13,943 |
15,530 |
-10.2% |
84,588 |
73,678 |
+14.8% |
|
Estonia |
1,458 |
896 |
+62.7% |
8,463 |
4,853 |
+74.4% |
|
Finland |
11,220 |
12,237 |
-8.3% |
71,278 |
62,436 |
+14.2% |
|
France |
210,172 |
240,531 |
-12.6% |
1,225,084 |
1,212,436 |
+1.0% |
|
Germany |
288,382 |
289,259 |
-0.3% |
1,622,579 |
1,468,791 |
+10.5% |
|
Great Britain |
183,125 |
195,226 |
-6.2% |
1,029,638 |
1,108,662 |
-7.1% |
|
Greece |
9,738 |
14,591 |
-33.3% |
55,160 |
97,732 |
-43.6% |
|
Hungary |
4,233 |
4,289 |
-1.3% |
23,362 |
21,680 |
+7.8% |
|
Iceland |
1,166 |
1,135 |
+2.7% |
3,056 |
1,925 |
+58.8% |
|
Ireland |
11,030 |
8,398 |
+31.3% |
77,138 |
67,541 |
+14.2% |
|
Italy |
169,662 |
172,524 |
-1.7% |
1,016,713 |
1,171,421 |
-13.2% |
|
Latvia |
912 |
631 |
+44.5% |
5,082 |
2,634 |
+92.9% |
|
Lithuania |
1,344 |
663 |
+102.7% |
6,623 |
3,277 |
+102.1% |
|
Luxembourg |
4,256 |
5,155 |
-17.4% |
28,596 |
29,677 |
-3.6% |
|
Norway |
10,591 |
11,119 |
-4.7% |
69,377 |
61,969 |
+12.0% |
|
Poland |
24,622 |
20,038 |
+22.9% |
136,675 |
111,344 |
+22.8% |
|
Portugal |
17,162 |
26,028 |
-34.1% |
91,915 |
115,245 |
-20.2% |
|
Slovakia |
7,485 |
6,284 |
+19.1% |
35,403 |
29,522 |
+19.9% |
|
Slovenia |
5,769 |
5,663 |
+1.9% |
32,942 |
32,403 |
+1.7% |
|
Spain |
83,325 |
121,727 |
-31.5% |
442,394 |
605,322 |
-26.9% |
|
Sweden |
27,485 |
28,270 |
-2.8% |
157,042 |
138,079 |
+13.7% |
|
Switzerland |
27,431 |
31,505 |
-12.9% |
155,267 |
147,365 |
+5.4% |
|
The Netherlands |
50,677 |
50,680 |
-0.0% |
328,773 |
270,093 |
+21.7% |
|
Grand Total |
1,262,855 |
1,369,106 |
-7.8% |
7,316,671 |
7,424,237 |
-1.4% |
Top 10 Brands
|
Make & Model |
Jun_11 |
Jun_10 |
% Change Jun |
Jun YtD_11 |
Jun YtD_10 |
% Change YtD |
|
VOLKSWAGEN |
146,508 |
153,110 |
-4.3% |
880,308 |
831,381 |
+5.9% |
|
FORD |
104,140 |
103,401 |
+0.7% |
596,526 |
631,943 |
-5.6% |
|
OPEL/VAUXHALL |
102,191 |
113,998 |
-10.4% |
547,008 |
531,437 |
+2.9% |
|
RENAULT |
96,254 |
119,419 |
-19.4% |
566,660 |
636,759 |
-11.0% |
|
PEUGEOT |
90,410 |
100,933 |
-10.4% |
519,366 |
557,887 |
-6.9% |
|
CITROEN |
74,804 |
86,128 |
-13.1% |
436,569 |
466,262 |
-6.4% |
|
FIAT |
69,484 |
80,466 |
-13.6% |
393,906 |
487,005 |
-19.1% |
|
AUDI |
64,401 |
58,969 |
+9.2% |
359,154 |
330,473 |
+8.7% |
|
BMW |
64,349 |
65,250 |
-1.4% |
336,303 |
310,355 |
+8.4% |
|
MERCEDES |
58,498 |
61,064 |
-4.2% |
300,943 |
299,098 |
+0.6% |
Top 10 models
|
Make & Model |
Jun_11 |
Jun_10 |
% Change Jun |
Jun YtD_11 |
Jun YtD_10 |
% Change YtD |
|
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF |
41,113 |
45,329 |
-9.3% |
253,288 |
272,684 |
-7.1% |
|
FORD FIESTA |
33,567 |
34,046 |
-1.4% |
195,592 |
239,026 |
-18.2% |
|
OPEL/VAUXHALL CORSA |
33,133 |
38,431 |
-13.8% |
170,659 |
177,578 |
-3.9% |
|
VOLKSWAGEN POLO |
31,590 |
36,871 |
-14.3% |
188,225 |
190,650 |
-1.3% |
|
FORD FOCUS |
30,790 |
22,611 |
+36.2% |
149,328 |
145,812 |
+2.4% |
|
OPEL/VAUXHALL ASTRA |
29,809 |
34,612 |
-13.9% |
162,334 |
165,394 |
-1.9% |
|
RENAULT CLIO |
26,832 |
33,612 |
-20.2% |
162,519 |
194,275 |
-16.3% |
|
PEUGEOT 207 |
23,859 |
30,332 |
-21.3% |
140,986 |
174,733 |
-19.3% |
|
RENAULT MEGANE |
23,051 |
28,622 |
-19.5% |
129,175 |
143,346 |
-9.9% |
|
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT |
22,876 |
19,447 |
+17.6% |
131,979 |
102,487 |
+28.8% |
