New car sales stagnating

European car sales rose a meagre 1.2% last month as consumer confidence stagnated, according to data released by the Association of European Auto Manufacturers today.

Registrations, which mirror sales, totalled just 1.24 million, after climbing 4.1% in April and 6.9% in May. January-May sales were up only 2.8% on the year, ACEA added.

The association attributed the slowdown to one or two public holidays in many countries “but also to stagnating consumer confidence in some countries”.

Germany, Europe’s biggest car market, was one of the worst performers, with sales falling 7.3% in May. Italy fared better. Sales there rose 12.8%,

The figures cover the old 15 European Union countries plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.