Rome, December 14 – New car sales in the European Union registered an annual decline of 8% last month, the third consecutive monthly negative result, according to industry data.
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) blames the trend on the introduction of new emission standards on September 1, the World Mandatory Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
"Prior to the introduction of the new WLTP test in September, car registrations increased by 31,2% in August, leading to a drop in demand in the following months," it said in a statement.
August sales rose ahead of WLTP. Overall, about 1,12 million new cars were registered in November.
In January-November, Volkswagen accounted for 23,9 percent of sales.
French groups PSA and Renault remained second and third in the market ranking, with 16,3% and 10,6%, followed by Fiat-Chrysler with 6,7% and Ford with 6,4%.
