FRANKFURT -- Order backlogs for new cars in Germany are at a record high level but automakers cannot meet the demand because of components shortages.
New-car registrations fell 10 percent to 207,199 in May, according to data released by the KBA motor transport authority.
It was the worst result for the month since the May 2020 when sales plunged amid coronavirus lockdowns, according to the VDIK importers association.
Polestar, Dacia and Mercedes-Benz were the big winners for the month. Polestar's registrations were up 154 percent and Dacia sales grew 38 percent, while Mercedes volume rose 23 percent.
Winners also included Opel, whose registrations rose 5.5 percent and Ford, whose sales were up 4.5 percent.
Tesla big monthly loser
Other automakers saw sales drop as shortages of chips and other parts meant that they had to cut production.
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Tesla registrations plunged by 89 percent, Volkswagen brand sales fell 14 percent, while BMW was down 13 percent and Audi fell 12 percent respectively.
Click here for German sales in May, 5 months.
Sales of full-electric cars rose 8.9 percent for a 14.1 percent market share, while plug-in hybrid registrations dropped by 15 percent for a 11.2 percent share.
The German market's downward trend is becoming increasingly entrenched because of the "massive, global impairment of supply chains," VDIK President Reinhard Zirpel said in a statement.
"At the same time, order backlogs are reaching a historic record level. This shows: Customers want to buy cars, but the industry can only deliver to a limited extent," Zirpel said.
Through May, German market sales are down 9.3 percent to 1.01 million.
