Vehicle sales in the European Union in January 2022 reached an all-time low for this month on record, according to a report from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Last month, this figure was 682,596 units. – 6% less than in January 2021. The fall in sales in the association was associated with the continuing global shortage of semiconductors.
Most Western European countries showed negative sales dynamics last month. In Italy, the drop compared to January 2021 was 19.7%, in France – 18.6%. In this region, only Germany showed significant growth (+8.5%), sales also slightly increased in Spain (+1%). In Central Europe, growth was observed in several markets, with sales increasing most notably in Slovakia (+72.6%) and Romania (55.5%). In Poland, they fell by 10.2% in January.
In the European Union, sales of the Volkswagen Group (including Skoda, Audi, Seat, Porsche, etc.) decreased by 7% in January, Stellantis – by 15.1%, Mercedes-Benz – by 13.8%, BMW – by 9.2 %, Renault – by 3.5% (at the same time, sales of Lada increased by 2.5 times to 154 units). Sales of Toyota grew by 9.7%, Hyundai – by 28.7%.
Earlier, the Association of European Businesses reported that sales of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCV) in Russia in January 2022 fell by 3.7% compared to the same period last year. The leader in the Russian car market remains the Lada brand, whose sales last month decreased by 17% in annual terms and amounted to 18,045 cars. The second line in terms of sales is retained by Kia (-18% and 12,321 cars), and Hyundai is in third place with 11,356 cars sold (+4%). Following are Renault (-7%, up to 7938 units) and Toyota (+15%, up to 6126 units).
According to the association’s current forecast, by the end of 2022, 1.72 million passenger cars and light commercial vehicles will be sold in Russia, which means a market growth of 3.3% compared to 2021. Last year, the market grew by 4.3% ( up to 1.66 million pieces).