Top 15 countries by new car registrations in Europe

15. Denmark

Danish drivers registered 52,500 new cars in first half this year, 36.8% fewer than prior-year period.

In first six months last year, 85,469 new cars were registered in the Danish market.

In June, Denmark’s car industry crashed 41%, with 9,024 new cars registered, from 15,386 in June 2008.

14. Romania

Romania ranks 14th in Europe by the new car registrations in Europe, down 3 positions from 11th a year earlier.

The new car industry in Romania dropped 58% YoY in first half, down to 62,653.

H1 2008 statistics for Romania indicate 8% decline year-on-year, down to 285, 500 cars. In June, Romanian car industry fell five positions, down to 14th from 9th. Registrations of new cars dropped 61% in June YoY, to 11,005 cars.

13. Portugal

ACEA first-half figures show a 36% decline for new car registrations in Portugal, down to 73,129 cars.

In first half 2008, 114,414 new cars were registered in Portugal.

In June the number fell 24% in Portugal, to 16,045 new cars from 20,979 in June 2008.

12. Czech Republic

Czech Republic recorded an increase in the number of new cars registered in first half. The six-month growth stood at 8% in Czech.

Last year, the Czech new car industry recorded 73,455 registrations.

In June, 16,284 new units were registered in Czech, 18% more than 13,795 cars a year earlier.

11. Sweden

With 102,794 new passenger cars registered in first half, Sweden takes no 11th in Europe. The Swedish car industry fell 26% in first six months.

In prior-year period, 139,511 new cars were registered in Sweden.

Swedish market shrank 6.5% in June, to 22.393 cars, from 23,959 units a year earlier.

10. Switzerland

Switzerland ranks 10th by the number of new registrations in first six months, with 133,097 cars. The H1 drop stood at 13%.

The country had 152,800 new registrations in first half 2008.

In June, the market contracted 11%, from 29,626 in June 2008 to 26,213 in 2009.

9. Austria

In first half, the number of new registrations decreased 1.6% YoY in Austria, to 166,016 cars.

In prior-year half, the Austrian drivers registered 168,668 new cars.

The Austrian car industry registered a 4% increase, from 34,713 cars in June 2008, to 36,090 in June 2009.

8. Poland

Poland takes up the eight spot according to figures released by European Automobile Manufacturers Association. In first half, the country had 168, 817 new registrations, up 0.2% compared to the same period in 2008.

168,521 new cars were registered in H1 2008 in Poland.

Car registrations in Poland dropped 2.5% in June YoY, from 27,512 to 26,832 cars.

7. Netherlands

Netherlands ranks 7th in Europe by the number of car registrations in first half with 221,652 cars, 26% less than a year earlier.

Last year, 300,113 new cars were registered in the country.

June statistics show a 25.6% decrease in new car registrations, from 48,233 in June 2008 to 35,862 this year.

6. Belgium

273,205 new cars were registered in Belgium in first half this year, down 17% compared to same period of 2008.

In first half 2008, 330,697 new cars were registered in Belgium.

In June, Belgium’s new car market contracted 13.7% down to 43,736 cars, from 50,689 a year earlier.

5. Spain

Some 433,077 new cars were registered in Spain in first six months this year , down 38% compared to prior-year period.

In first half 2008, 702,371 new cars were registered in Spain.

New car registrations in Spain shrank 16% YoY in June, from 114,960 to 96,706.

4. UK

On the fourth position in new registrations is United Kingdom, with 924,955 cars. The first-half decline stood at 26%.

A year earlier, 1.24 million new cars were registered in UK.

The decrease in the number of new registration in United Kingdom continued in June as well, to 176,264 in June 2009 from 209, 190 a year earlier.

3. Italy

Italy ranks third in Europe by the number of new registrations in Europe, but posted 10.7% drop in first half, to 1.12 million.

In first six months 2008, the new registrations totaled 1.26 million in Italy.

Nevertheless, in June, Italy’s car market increased 12.4%, up to 209,315 new cars, from 186,258 a year earlier.

2. France

The second largest European car market is France, with 1.13 million new registrations in first six months this year. France’s car market perked up 0.2% in first half.

A year earlier, 1.12 million new passenger cars were registered in France.

The market increased 7% in June this year, up to 235,137 new cars, from 219,753 a year earlier.

1. Germany

Germany, Europe’s largest car industry, posted 26% growth in first half, and 2.05 million new registrations.

In prior-year period, 1.6 million new cars were registered.

In the month of June, the German car market advanced 40% year-on-year, up to 427,111 new cars. A year earlier, the market posted 304,036 new registrations.

The market for new passenger cars in Europe arrived at a modest plus (+2.4 %) in June, carried by the effects of fleet renewal schemes in more than 10 EU Member States. It is the first market increase in 14 months, against the backdrop of a steep downward trend that commenced in May 2008.