Worldwide car sales were mixed during the first semester of 2013 with strong growth in China and the USA and continued weakness in Europe, Japan and India.
Car sales in the major world markets continued to develop differently during the first semester of 2013. While the new passenger vehicle markets of Europe, Russia, India, and Japan contracted further during the first half of 2013, car markets in the USA, China and Brazil expanded further. Car sales expanded fastest in China but solid growth in the USA ensured that the US regained its position as the world’s largest single-country auto market.
International Car Sales in World Regions in 2013 (First Half)
Car sales in various regions of the world during June 2013 and the first half of 2013 were as follows according to the VDA:
| Region | Â Jan-June 2013 | % Change | Â June | % Change | Â May | Â April | Â Q2/2013 | Â Q1/2013 |
| Europe (EU+EFTA) | Â 6,436,700 | -6.7 | Â 1,175,400 | -6.3 | Â 1,083,400 | Â 1,081,300 | Â 3,340,100 | Â 3,096,300 |
| Russia | Â 1,333,300 | -5.8 | Â 241,300 | -11.5 | Â 229,700 | Â 245,300 | Â 716,300 | Â 616,800 |
| USA | Â 7,789,200 | 7.5 | Â 1,397,300 | 9.1 | Â 1,436,700 | Â 1,280,300 | Â 4,114,300 | Â 3,675,100 |
| Japan | Â 2,311,300 | -8.5 | Â 378,700 | -12.5 | Â 308,400 | Â 308,600 | Â 995,700 | Â 1,315,600 |
| Brazil | Â 1,709,500 | 4.8 | Â 303,100 | -11 | Â 300,900 | Â 317,000 | Â 921,000 | Â 788,500 |
| India | Â 1,333,400 | -9.7 | Â 196,700 | -4.8 | Â 201,400 | Â 208,400 | Â 606,500 | Â 725,900 |
| China | Â 7,738,600 | 20.6 | Â 1,272,000 | 14.8 | Â 1,253,000 | Â 1,294,000 | Â 3,819,000 | Â 3,919,500 |
| Source: VDA | Â 28,652,000 | Â 4,964,500 | Â 4,813,500 | Â 4,734,900 | Â 14,512,900 | Â 14,137,700 |
Car Sales Around the World in June 2013
Car sales struggled in most regions of the world during June 2013. However, solid growth in the two largest markets – the USA and China – saw June as the second strongest month for sales in 2013 (after March) for the regions monitored by the VDA.
Solid growth in sales for both cars and light trucks allowed the USA to regain the top spot as the largest single-country market from China, which led during the first quarter of 2013. China remains the strongest growth region and a very important market for German manufacturers – German car brands increased market share in China to 21%
Car sales in Europe and Russia continue to contract although the downturn is less severe than in previous months. Still the West European car market is at its lowest in almost two decades. The British car market – Europe’s second largest – had double-digit growth during the second quarter of 2013, as the only large European car market not in decline.
Car sales in Japan continue to slide, as were expected after the extraordinary high numbers in 2012. Similarly, Brazil had very high car sales figures in June 2012. Despite negative growth in June 2013, the Brazilian car market grew during the first semester of 2013. The Indian car market continues to weaken and is down 10% during the first half of 2013. (I130718)
