The automotive industry in Western Europe is facing a critical phase, with a drastic drop in car sales in Europe in August 2024. According to data released by ACEA (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers), vehicle registrations in the European Union, EFTA and United Kingdom countries fell to 755,717 units, marking a 16.5% drop compared to the same month of the previous year (August 2023). Despite an increase 1.7% in sales since the beginning of the yearthe signs of a slowdown are clear, especially due to the decline in sales of electric cars.
Car sales in Europe, electric -36%
Sales of electric vehicles I am dropped by 36% throughout Western Europe, with an even more marked drop of 43.9% in the European Union countries alone. This decline is particularly worrying as it represents a setback for the transition to low-carbon mobility. Among the major markets, the Germania recorded a contraction of 27.8%, followed by France with a decrease of 24.3% and from Italy with a decrease of 13.4%. Only the United Kingdom showed a positive trend, with a 10.8% increase in electric vehicle sales, attributed to heavy discounts offered by dealers to clear inventory.
Male Stellantis
The sales crisis has not spared the major manufacturers. Stellantisone of the largest automotive groups, saw its registrations drop 28.7% in Augustreducing its market share from 16.1% to 13.7%. In the first eight months of 2024, the group’s sales fell by 3.3%, with its market share falling to 16.2% from 17% the previous year.
THAT has raised the alarm, highlighting the need for urgent measures by European institutions to support the automotive industry and reverse the negative trend. According to the association, the decline in electric car sales This is a worrying signal that requires immediate action, especially in view of the new CO2 emission reduction targets set for 2025. ACEA has stressed the need to bring forward the revisions of the CO2 regulations for light and heavy vehicles, currently scheduled for 2026 and 2027 respectively, to 2025.
The main problems plaguing the industry include the lack of charging infrastructurethe lack of affordable green energy and the lack of adequate tax incentives. In addition, economic and geopolitical uncertainty has further exacerbated the situation, making the transition to an even more challenging zero-emission mobility. The risk is that, without timely intervention, European industry could lose competitiveness against global competitors, especially China, which is gaining market share in Europe.
ACEA has expressed the need for a coordinated strategy involving the entire value chain, to avoid the risk of multi-billion euro fines and secure Europe’s industrial future. To address the crisis, the automotive industry asks the European Commission to introduce a package of short-term support measures and accelerate regulatory reviews, to relaunch the production of zero-emission vehicles and safeguard jobs and competitiveness in an increasingly difficult market.
Source: www.autoblog.it
