Volkswagen Group limited the effect of its emissions scandal in October with its European sales declining by just 0.8 %in a total market where volume rose by 2.7%.
Industry-wide passenger car registrations in the EU and EFTA markets increased to 1.14 million vehicles, the European automakers association ACEA said in a statement.
October’s increase marked the 26th consecutive month of growth in the region but at a slower rate than in the preceding months, although last month’s figures were for one fewer selling day than in the same month last year, Auto News reports.
VW brand sales dropped by 0.4% last month. The group’s other mass-market marques had a bad October with Skoda sales down 2.9% while Seat’s volume fell by 11%. However, a 3.5% rise in Audi sales and 13% increase in Porsche sales helped the group. VW Group remained Europe’s biggest automaker by a wide margin but its market share declined to 25.2% from 26.1% a year earlier.
PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, Europe’s second-largest automaker with a 10.5% share, saw its registrations fall by 1.5% as a 2.3% increase at the Peugeot brand failed to offset a 6.2% decline at Citroen.
Renault Group’s volume rose by 0.4% with Renault brand up 0.9% and Dacia down 3.8%.
Ford’s registrations increased by 1.8% while sales at rival General Motors’ Opel/Vauxhall unit fell by 2%. A 70% rise in sales at the Jeep brand, boosted by the Renegade subcompact SUV, helped to push Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ sales up by 7.7%. The Fiat brand had a good month with volume up 8.6%.
Among Asian brands, Nissan sales fell by 4.1% and Toyota brand sales were down 4.2%. Hyundai sales increased by 4.4.% and Kia’s volume was up 8.4%. Mercedes-Benz brand gained 11 % and BMW brand was up 13%.
