Auto sector extends gains in first quarter of 2012

The signs of recovery seen in the final quarter of last year gathered momentum in the first three months of 2012. All sectors in the latest Automotive News Europe/PricewaterhouseCoopers Transaction Services Shareholder Value Index recorded strong gains. Manufacturers gained 27.3 percent, compared with a 3.7 percent increase in the preceding quarter. Parts suppliers improved 31.1 percent while retailers achieved a 35.2 percent increase in value compared with a 1.... Read More »

Europe car sales fall to 14-year low in March

European new-car sales dropped to a fourteen-year low last month, led by Fiat, PSA and Renault, as economic growth stalled in the region amid ongoing economic problems and subdued consumer confidence.... Read More »

Russian car sales growth slows in March

Sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia rose 13 percent in March to 252,816, the Association for European Businesses said. Despite the rise, growth was markedly lower than in the first two months.... Read More »

Fiat-Chrysler sales rise 8.2% as N. American demand offsets weak Europe

Consolidated vehicle sales for Fiat-Chrysler rose 8.2 percent in the first two months as strong Chrysler demand in North America offset Fiat's decline in Europe.... Read More »

Fiat sales in Italy fall 36 percent in 'horrible' March

Car sales in Italy fell 27 percent as the country joined France and Spain to report sliding volume in March. Fiat Group sales declined 36 percent.... Read More »

Car sales fall in France, Spain in March

Car sales fell in France and Spain in March, with French passenger car volume down 23.5 percent as the market suffered the after-effects of a scrappage scheme. In Spain, the decline was less severe at 4.5 percent.... Read More »

Renault, PSA, Fiat hit by biggest Europe auto sales drop since 2010

Renault, PSA and Fiat suffered double-digit declines in new-car sales last month as total European volume slumped 9 percent -- the biggest drop in more than a year -- as consumers shied away from major purchases amid a weak economy.... Read More »

Russian car sales rise 25% in February

Russian car sales rose a better-than-expected 25 percent year-on-year in February, the Association of European Businesses said, as drivers took advantage of positive economic conditions to snap up new vehicles.... Read More »

Western Europe car sales fell 11.4% in February

New-car sales in western Europe fell 11.4 percent in February, as declines were seen across all of the top five markets. LMC Automotive forecasts full-year sales will fall 6.1 percent to 12.03 million.... Read More »

Renault, Fiat, PSA fall hard as January sales slump in Europe

Renault, Fiat and PSA had big declines in sales in Europe last month as consumers balked at making large purchases after the region's economy shrunk. European new-car registrations fell 7 percent to 1 million, marking the fourth-consecutive monthly decline, industry association ACEA said.... Read More »

Auto sector stages comeback in fourth quarter

Following a disastrous third quarter in 2011, the automotive sector staged a modest comeback in the final three months of last year. The best performance in the latest Automotive News Europe/PricewaterhouseCoopers Transaction Services Shareholder Value Index came from suppliers. Partsmakers went from a Q3 decline of 34 percent to a 5.7 percent Q4 gain. It was a similar story for automakers, for whom a 33 percent Q3 fall was followed by a 3.7 percent Q4 gain.... Read More »

Fiat, PSA, Renault hit hard by 2011 Europe car-sales decline

Fiat, PSA and Renault were hit hard as European full-year car sales declined for the fourth consecutive year as consumer confidence fell and unemployment remained at record levels. Registrations last year fell 1.4 percent to 13.6 million vehicles, propelled by a 5.8 percent drop in December. Four of the region's five biggest markets contracted, with Spain and Italy leading annual declines at 18 percent and 11 percent respectively.... Read More »

Russia vehicle sales rose 39% in 2011; growth to slow

Russian vehicle sales are expected to rise 12 percent this year after growing 39 percent in 2011, the Association of European Businesses said today.... Read More »