German cars market has further improved in 2019, for the first time over the milestone of 3.5 million cars sold in a single year. Indeed, Total sales have been 3.596.973, up 5.1%. While Volkswagen has reported the lowest market share in 50 years, Skoda & Seat are hit their all-time record.
Economic Environment
Germany avoided a technical recession in the third quarter as stronger private consumption growth firmed domestic demand. The government’s slightly more expansionary stance also boosted the economy, as did the external sector’s turnaround. However, prospects for the final quarter remain dim. Although exports grew robustly in October over the prior month, retail sales contracted at the sharpest rate in 10 months in the same month.
Moreover, business sentiment remained depressed through November, while industrial output fell to a six-month low in October and the manufacturing PMI stayed in contractionary territory through December.
Market Trend
German vehicles market is the largest and the most stable in Europe, with a medium term growth started in the 2010, when car passenger sales were 2.91 million, up to the 2018 with 3.42 million car passenger sales. Considering the LCVs segment with 2018 at 287.000 units, the German light vehicles market figures were 3.71 million, the fourth largest market after China, USA and Japan.
However in 2019 the market has further grown, despite all pessimistic views on the economic environment and the year ended above the 3.5 million units, new all time record and first time over this milestone.
Indeed, according to data released by local Association of Car Manufacturers, Total sales have been 3.596.973, up 5.1%.
Over 50% of the market was controlled by the powerful domestic manufacturers, with Volkswagen market leader since “ever”. However in recent years it is progressively losing share and 2019 has reported the lowest share in the last 50 years at 18.6%, having lost 3 points in the last 5 years.
Among the growing brands there were both Skoda and Seat which will hit their all-time record share respectively at 5.8% and 3.9%.
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models
