By Ilka Kopplin and Neetha Mahadevan
FRANKFURT--German new car registrations fell 2% in November,
according to data released Tuesday, as geopolitical conflicts and
an economic slowdown continue to hamper car sales.
About 250,100 new cars were registered in November, a proxy for
car sales, in Europe's largest auto market, down 2% on the year,
while 2.8 million units were registered since the start of the
year, an increase of 3%, according to the German automotive
industry association, or VDA.
"2014 is dominated by considerable uncertainties and
geopolitical conflicts," VDA President Matthias Wissmann said,
citing crisis-stricken regions of Russia, Ukraine and the Middle
East as well as the economic slowdown in some key European
countries.
Nevertheless, VDA expects new car registrations to increase 2%
in the full-year, rising slightly above the expected 3 million
mark. However, growth could be tapered going into 2015, after the
pace of recovery slowed in some key markets, Mr. Wissmann said. For
2015, VDA expects car registrations to rise just 1% on the
year.
Data for European new car registrations kicked off this month
with growth in Italy and Spain followed by declines in France and
Germany.
On Monday, French car manufacturers lowered their forecast for a
sales rebound in their home market, saying growth will remain
small. New passenger car registrations fell again in November after
an optimistic start to the year.
ACEA, the European association of auto makers, will release
November new car registrations for Europe on Dec. 16. Car
manufacturers expect European Union sales to grow 3% this year
after a six-year slump.
Write to Ilka Kopplin and Neetha Mahadevan at
ilka.kopplin@wsj.com and neetha.mahadevan@wsj.com