Car sales in Western Europe grew by 5.3% year-on-year in September, according to data released by LMC Automotive.
September’s positive result reversed a recent weakening trend and LMC said that the second half of 2013 is on course to eclipse the same period in 2012, with 2014 forecast to see modest growth for the full year also. September’s Seasonally Adjusted Annualised Rate (SAAR) of sales picked up to 11.8m cars a year.
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LMC noted that the growth in the UK car market was a key driver for the stronger performance of the region overall. The private retail side of the UK car market continues to expand rapidly, taking the overall UK car market SAAR to a staggering 2.4m units for the month (see sales by country chart below).
However, car sales in Germany were down by 1.2% in September, leaving Germany’s year-to-date cumulative total down by 6% on the same period last year. The German car market is now expected to finish below 3m units for the full year, though it should see some growth in 2014 as economic activity picks up.
Car sales in France increased in year-on-year terms, as they did in Spain (helped by comparison to a weak September 2012), and while Italy was down year-on-year, its rate of decline was lower than earlier in the year.
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