European car sales turn ugly amid chip crunch

Traditional combustion vehicles have been hit the most, while the boom for plug-in hybrids and electric cars continues

Spain performed worst in August with sales plunging 29%.

Auto sales are deteriorating in Europe, with months of meek recovery giving way to deliveries that no longer even measure up to last year’s pandemic-depressed results.

New-car registrations fell 18% in August and 24% in July from year-ago levels, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said.