According to the monthly statistics released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on July 15, 2009, new passenger car registrations in Europe (EU-27 plus EFTA) recorded a yearly increase for the first time in 14 months in June, totaling 1,461,859 units or 2.4 percent more compared to June 2008. In the first half of 2009, the market contraction amounted to 11 percent.
In Western Europe, new car registrations totaled 1,382,189 in June, increasing by 4.6 percent year on year. Most countries with incentive schemes indicated growth, with particularly strong demand in Germany, the largest market in Europe, which recorded a increase of 40.5 percent year on year. Meanwhile, Austria saw a rise of four percent, France a rise of seven percent and Italy an increase of 12.4 percent, all compared to June 2008. On the other hand, the downturns in Spain and the UK, of 15.9 percent and 15.7 percent respectively, were cushioned by more recently introduced support measures.
In the first half of the current year, new car registrations in Western Europe declined by 9.8 percent year on year. Only Germany and France performed better than in 2008, with increases of 26.1 percent and 0.2 percent respectively. Among the major markets, the Italian market contracted by 10.7 percent, the British market by 25.9 percent and the Spanish market by 38.3 percent year on year.
