Europe Car Sales Suffer Biggest Drop Since 2013 as U.K. Tumbles
- VW and Ford lose market share to Renault, Fiat Chrysler
- Gains in Germany, U.K. set to slow as recovery loses steam
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European car sales fell the most in four years in April as the shift of Easter from March reduced buyers’ time for shopping, while registrations in the U.K. were further sapped by tax changes.
With at least two fewer selling days compared with a year ago, industrywide registrations dropped 6.8 percent to 1.23 million vehicles last month, according to the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, or ACEA. Regional leader Volkswagen AG and fifth-ranked Ford Motor Co. lost market share to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Renault SA, which are attracting customers with sport utility vehicles.