Germany (-32.3%), Italy (-19.1%) and France (-1.3%) were the main markets with lower registrations, whereas the UK (+10.8%) and Spain (+25.6%) recorded a rise in numbers, leaving the overall result at -6.9%. The largest drop was recorded in Slovakia (-40.6%), while the biggest increase occurred in Ireland (+75.8%).

ACEA data shows that registrations remained static (+0.2%) over the first six months of 2010 compared with the result over the same period last year, with 7,285,487 new cars registered over January to June. Compared with the first six months of 2008, the market decreased by 10.3%.

Looking at the main markets, only Germany contracted (-28.7%), while Italy (+2.9%), France (+5.4%), the UK (+19.9%) and Spain (+39.5%) all posted growth. The steepest fall was recorded in Hungary (-43.8%) and the most significant increase by Portugal (+57.7%).