European new car sales down 1.5% in 2021 – ACEA

Vauxhall cars are transported on a lorry in Luton, Britain March 6, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall/File Photo

BERLIN, Jan 18 (Reuters) – New car registrations in Europe fell 1.5% in 2021, even further below the previous record low of 2020 sales, industry data showed on Tuesday.

A global semiconductor shortage and other supply chain issues have dampened deliveries of cars globally, with many carmakers sitting on half-finished goods and unable to meet demand.

Germany was hardest hit among the major EU markets, ACEA’s data showed, registering a 10.1% sales dip in the year while others such as Italy, Spain and France saw marginal growth.

The number of new vehicles registered in the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in December was down 21.7% year-on-year, marking the sixth month in a row of declines.

Reporting by Miranda Murray, Editing by Victoria Waldersee

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