New figures released by European carmakers’ association Acea, show that sales of new cars in Spain and Italy have fallen to their lowest levels in 15 years. Italian sales fell 5.7 % in September to 146,388 units, the lowest since 1996 while in Spain the fall was 1.3 % to 55,572 cars, the lowest since 1993.

The UK and French markets are also showing no growth, which Germany is the only country to show any sales increase. Brand wise across Europe, Jeep, Lexus, Alfa Romeo, Mini and Mitsubishi are all showing good growth while Mazda, Honda, Fiat,  Jaguar and Toyota are all down.

Irish new car sales were dramatically down year on year in the month of September (-35%) but remain some 5% up on year on year figures. UK figures show that dealers in Northern Ireland are particularly hard hit by the sales stagnation. The SMMT report in September showed new car sales were down 7.8% in Northern Ireland while Wales was down 5.9%, Scotland 1.3%, and England 0.4%.