Car sales in the European Union in April declined by 20.6% relative to the same period in 2021, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

The fall continues for the seventh month in a row amid a persistent global shortage of semiconductor components, which negatively affects the automotive industry. In March, the figure was down 20.5%.

According to ACEA, the number of cars registered last month in the EU (excluding Malta, statistics on which are not available) amounted to 684,506 thousand against 862,443 thousand in the same month a year earlier.

This was the weakest April result in terms of sales volumes ever recorded, the only exception being April 2020, the peak of the pandemic.

The region’s four largest markets showed significant sales declines, with Italy down 33%, France down 22.6%, Germany down 21.5% and Spain down 12.1%.

The number of new car registrations in Europe (EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK leaving the European Union on January 31, 2020) fell by 21% to 740.533 thousand in April.

In January-April 2022, new car registrations in the European Union fell 14.4% year-on-year to 2 million 930.366 thousand new passenger cars. In Italy, January-April sales were down 26.5%, in France 18.6%, in Spain 11.8% and in Germany 9%.

Sales of Volkswagen Group (including Skoda, Audi, Seat, Porsche, etc.) last month decreased by 27.1%, Stellantis (combined Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group) – by 32.1%, BMW – by 20%, Mercedes-Benz – by 21.2%.

Sales of Renault Group cars decreased by 18.2%, including Lada cars – fell by 62.7% to 63 cars.

Jaguar Land Rover Group’s sales dropped 21.7%, Ford (NYSE:F) – by 18.1%.

Japan’s Toyota Group, Nissan and Mazda saw sales drop 3.6%, 8% and 32%, respectively.

At the same time, Honda increased sales by 33%, Mitsubishi – by 11.9%, South Korean Hyundai – by 10.8%.