German Auto Market Predicted to Fall in 2013

The German auto market, which along with the UK, had been the only Western European car market to post increasing sales, but industry estimates that auto sales in Germany will fall by about 100,000 cars (3.2%) next year to about 3 million cars, according to the German auto industry organization (VDA). 

That might not sound like much, but it would make it the worst year for German auto sales since 2010 when 2.92 million cars were sold in Germany. 

"We must brace for the difficult situation in the euro zone to persist in 2013. That's why we're keeping to a subdued forecast," said VDA president Matthias Wissmann.

Sales in Germany are already down slightly this year by 2% to 2.88 million cars for the year so far. November sales were down 3% in November to 260,000 cars. 

As we reported yesterday, French sales are down 13.8% for the year to 1.73 million cars and down 19.2% for November. Italian sales were down 20.1% for November and down 12.39% for October. 

Source: Automotive News Europe