Sales of new cars decreased by 820 thousand in May compared to last year. In the first five months of the year, the decline reached 42.7% yoy . The smallest decline was seen in Slovenia (-29.3%) while sales in the United Kingdom dropped the most (-89.0%). Volkswagen Group sold the most cars in May 2020 in Europe, some 156 thousand vehicles representing 25.0% of the European market.
In May 2020, the European passenger car market suffered another sharp drop. Although COVID-19 lockdown measures were eased in many countries last month, the number of new cars sold across the European Union (excluding UK) fell from 1,217,259 units in May 2019 to 581,161 passenger cars in May of this year.
In May, most vehicles (168 thousand) were sold in Germany (down 49.5% yoy), followed by Italy (99.7 thousand, down 49.5%), France with 96.3 thousand cars (down 50.3%), 34.8 thousand new vehicles were registered in Belgium (down 32.0%) and 34.3 thousand in Spain (down 72.7%). The five largest countries accounted for 63.9% of total new vehicles registered in May 2020.
In relative terms, sales in Slovenia (-29.3%) and Cyprus (-29.4%) declined the least compared to a year ago, whereas registration in the United Kingdom and Croatia dropped the most (-89.0% and -76.2% yoy), in May 2020, according to ACEA.
Volkswagen Group sold the most cars in May 2020 in Europe, some 156 thousand vehicles representing 25.0% of the European market. Sales of PSA Group amounted to 95.4 thousand vehicles (or 15.3% of the market) while Renault Group and FCA Group held 11.4% and 7.10% of the European market in May. Overall, the five largest manufacturers sold 65.6% of all new cars in May.
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