European car sales plunge

StevieJ

This does not look good

European car sales are sliding to a 20-year low after a plunge in Germany last month removed the main buffer for automakers across the region and record unemployment choked consumer demand.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-17/europe-car-sales-plunge-10-as-germany-s-decline-hurts-vw.html

vivatifosi

The impact of the Euro crisis on southern European states must surely have a huge impact on this. If you're worried about job losses, even if you have savings, would you replace your car if the one you have is ok for the moment? Though I suppose Cyprus could end up showing that it's harder to tax grab a car than a stack of electronic readies.

smartn

Cant help thinking some of the lack of demand for cars is being caused by the increased reliability though.

ILW

Hopefully some good deals coming up.

michaels

Funnily enough the UK is one of the few European markets that is bucking this trend - strange as DecentLivingWage was assuring us last week that the govt policies had squeezed off domestic demand and that the week pound was hitting the balance of payments rather than reduced demand from our main trading partners being the problem.

Generali

michaels wrote: »

Funnily enough the UK is one of the few European markets that is bucking this trend - strange as DecentLivingWage was assuring us last week that the govt policies had squeezed off domestic demand and that the week pound was hitting the balance of payments rather than reduced demand from our main trading partners being the problem.

Yes well, that's numpty-nomics for you.

Thrugelmir

michaels wrote: »

Funnily enough the UK is one of the few European markets that is bucking this trend - strange as DecentLivingWage was assuring us last week that the govt policies had squeezed off domestic demand and that the week pound was hitting the balance of payments rather than reduced demand from our main trading partners being the problem.

With fuel consumption down by a quarter from peak. Are people now reducing their mileage to compensate for the high prices. If so cars may last even longer before being replaced. Only so many old fuel inefficent vehicles left on the roads.

wymondham

Despite this still taking 9 weeks to get a new SEAT from Spain..... too many siesta's?

antrobus

michaels wrote: »

Funnily enough the UK is one of the few European markets that is bucking this trend - strange as DecentLivingWage was assuring us last week that the govt policies had squeezed off domestic demand and that the week pound was hitting the balance of payments rather than reduced demand from our main trading partners being the problem.

UK car sales reach four-year high
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20931602

Strong start to 2013 for UK car market
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/9852634/Strong-start-to-2013-for-UK-car-market.html

vivatifosi

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Only so many old fuel inefficent vehicles left on the roads.

My car's pretty old (13) and I'm looking to buy from new this year. I've had it from new and kept it serviced and it's reliable. Having said that, even a car that old is reasonably fuel efficient compared to some of the tripe available in America.

Quite happy to hear I may be able to get a good deal though.

mystic_trev

michaels wrote: »

Funnily enough the UK is one of the few European markets that is bucking this trend - strange as DecentLivingWage was assuring us last week that the govt policies had squeezed off domestic demand and that the week pound was hitting the balance of payments rather than reduced demand from our main trading partners being the problem.

Yes, strange that.I notice he's not around today? I expect he's been paying his last respects at St Pauls.