The German new car market declined by 61.1% on last year to stand at 120,840 units during the month of April. The result shows a much smaller percentage drop than other large European markets such as the UK (-97%), France (-89%) and Italy (-97%).

The KBA data shows that some manufacturers managed to shift significant volumes in April, despite the severity of the coronavirus crisis and its impact on car buyers. Volkswagen led the market with sales of 20,741 units.

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However, the German auto industry is being hit hard by the decimation of demand this year, at home and in major export markets.

Reports in Germany say that representatives of VW, Daimler and BMW held a video-conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday, with stimulus measures (scrappage incentives) on the agenda. However, discussions on that are expected to continue, with Berlin keen to ensure that any stimulus measures are skewed towards helping advanced technologies (ie electrified vehicles). The German regions with major automotive manufacturing sectors are also said to be in favour of measures that would lift activity later this year.

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