Car sales in the European Union in May declined by 11.2% relative to the same period in 2021, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

The drop continues for the eighth consecutive month amid a persistent global shortage of semiconductor components, which negatively affects the automotive industry. The figure was down 20.6% in April and 20.5% in March.

According to ACEA, the number of cars registered last month in the EU (excluding Malta, statistics on which is not available) amounted to 791,546 thousand against 891,125 thousand for the same month a year earlier.

The four largest markets in the region showed a significant decline in sales: in Italy the figure fell by 15.1%, in Spain – by 10.9%, in Germany – by 10.2%, in France – by 10.1%.

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 12.5% to 948,149 thousand in May.

In January-May 2022, new car registrations in the European Union fell 13.7% year-on-year last year to 3 million 721.774 thousand new passenger cars. In Italy, January-May sales were down 24.3%, in France 16.9%, in Spain 11.5% and in Germany 9.3%.

Sales of Volkswagen Group (including Skoda, Audi, Seat, Porsche, etc.) last month decreased by 19.8%, Stellantis (combined Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group) – by 14.6%, BMW – by 14.4%, Mercedes-Benz – by 6%. Sales of Renault Group cars decreased by 10.3%, including Lada cars – fell by 43.6% to 75 cars.

Jaguar Land Rover Group reduced sales by 31.8%, Ford – by 3%.

Mazda sales fell by 41.3%, Mitsubishi – by 10.5%.

At the same time, Japanese Toyota Group, Nissan and Honda increased sales by 5.1%, 7.7% and 15.4%, respectively. South Korea’s Hyundai increased sales by 9.8%.