Ford's sales fell most among major brands, down 19 percent, followed by Renault with volume down 16 percent and PSA, whose registrations dropped 14 percent.

Demand for the Model 3 helped boost the market share for EVs to a record 11 percent in Europe last month.

Porsche, Audi, Hyundai, Nissan and Fiat were among brands with strong December sales ahead of the introduction of tough new EU emissions rules.

New-vehicle deliveries in China slipped 8 percent to just below 26 million in 2019 as a weakening economy and prolonged trade war with the U.S. continued to sap demand.