December proved to be one of many hardest months for European automotive gross sales, shrinking after 16 consecutive months of progress, based on the newest European Car Producers’ Affiliation (ACEA) figures.

Regardless of the EU automotive market experiencing an annual progress of 13.9% growth in comparison with 2022, new passenger automotive registrations fell by -3.3% within the EU automotive market in December with the variety of new vehicles bought throughout the European Union falling from 896,241 in December final yr to 867,052 in December 2023.

“Notably, the German market declined by a major 23% in December. That is in distinction to the UK which noticed a comparatively robust December,” stated Sue Robinson, chief government of the Nationwide Franchised Sellers Affiliation (NFDA).

In 2023, the EU automotive market achieves a full-year quantity of 10.5 million models. All EU automotive markets grew previously yr apart from Hungary (-3.4%). Double-digit positive factors have been recorded in most markets, together with three of the most important in Italy (+18.9%), Spain (+16.7%), and France (+16.1%). Conversely, Germany recorded a modest 7.3% year-on-year enhance influenced by its weaker December efficiency wherein it noticed a decline of 23%.

In December, there have been notable will increase in some markets, particularly in France (+14.5%) and Spain (+10.6%).

Battery-electric vehicles established themselves because the third-most-popular alternative for patrons in 2023 with a 14.6% market share for the total yr, surpassing diesel (13.6%) however behind petrol (35.3%) and hybrid-electric (25.8%). Nevertheless, in December, new battery-electric automotive gross sales declined for the primary time since April 2020, dropping by 16.9% to 160,700 models.

Sue Robinson added: “Additionally it is notable that in 2023, battery electrical automobiles cemented themselves with the third largest market share within the EU automotive market surpassing diesel.

“But, gross sales in December witnessed a decline for the primary time since April 2020. It’s important that each the UK and EU governments present readability to customers trying to purchase electrical as we enter the brand new yr.

“2024 seems to be set to be a busy yr inside the EU with European Parliamentary elections in June and the continued deliberation of Euro 7 emissions limits. In December 2023, an settlement was reached between the EU and UK to increase the foundations of origin to keep away from tariffs on EVs till the top of 2026 in December.

“NFDA will proceed to watch EU points that have an effect on the UK auto retail sector and guarantee optimistic progress is made to learn the trade, client and surroundings.”