EU car registrations down by 23.7 percent in 2020

The EU passenger car market contracted by 23.7% to 9.9 million units in 2020 as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Containment measures – including full-scale lockdowns and other restrictions throughout the year – had an unprecedented impact on car sales across the European Union.

2020 saw the biggest yearly drop in car demand since records began, with new-car registrations falling by 3 million units compared to 2019. All 27 EU markets recorded double-digit declines throughout 2020. Among the region’s biggest car markets, Spain posted the sharpest drop (-32.3%), followed closely by Italy (-27.9%) and France (-25.5%), while full-year losses were significant but less pronounced in Germany (-19.1%).