Sales of new cars in Europe plunged by 27% in January. A sum of 958,500 new cars were sold across Europe in the first month of 2009, the lowest rate in 20 years
The worst affected locations were Iceland, with a descent of over 88% followed by Ireland with 66.5 percent. Subsequently came the newer EU member states in Eastern Europe, with Rumania and Hungary documenting a drop of over fifty per cent in New car Sales.
Other countries finding sheer slashes in sales include Spain with a 41.6 percent, Italy with 32.6 percent and the UK with 30.9 percent.
Of all the European countries, France did the best, finding a drop of just 7.9 percent; followed by Czech Republic where the drop was 12.3 percent, then Germany, which saw a drop of 14.2 percent.
This is the ninth successive month of dropping sales for the European market, and its close neighbours are also feeling the squeeze in a very big way.
The Turkish Automotive Industry Association (OSD) having just declared that output fell by 65.8 percent. Turkish Automotive exports to the EU declined by just over fifty-six per cent to US$883 million.
In Russia, new car sales in January were 33% down on January 08.
There were, although several small signs of recovery across Europe.
In Russia, Mercedes Benz showed small sales growth, in the meantime Jaguar, Lexus, Porsche and Volvo all showed promising sales growth.
In the UK, Hyundai posted a growth of 5.7 percent year on year. Hyundai put the company’s achievements down to the fact people were ensuring they were well-informed before purchasing cars. Industry Experts state possible buyers are paying more attention to what they are obtaining for their money with regard to equipment, specification and warranty, rather than blindly plumping for an established brand.
Also in the UK, two actors in the Automotive Aftermarket were profiting from the change in purchasing habits as a result of the depression.
Halfords, the UK’s largest Car Parts and Accessories Retailer with over 450 oulets across the country, detailed that its revenue is holding to forecast despite a drop in turnover.
Performance Wiper Blade Importer, XOPC, a relatively new brand in the UK, specialising in High Performance and Long Life Wiper Blades is also benefiting from a boost from the consumers’ openness to new brands. Their MD, John Akin said “Uk consumers are more prepared than ever to give a new brand a try, if they provide something extra in terms of value for money, performance, warranty and service. Our Silicone Wiper Blades aren’t the cheapest on the market by any means, however they are noticeably cheaper than the average rubber Wiper Blades from the leading established brands, and they come with our exclusive 12 month warranty. Purchasers are doing their sums & coming to us in record numbers”.
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