2017 (January to October) International: Worldwide Car Sales

October 2017: New car sales increased in Russia, Brazil, Europe and China but new vehicle registrations were lower in India, Japan and the USA.

Bugatti Chiron 2017

In October 2017, the Russian and Brazilian car markets again expanded fast with double-digit growth while new passenger vehicle registrations in Europe increased by 6%. The Chinese and Indian new car markets were relatively flat in October 2017 while the Japanese new car market contracted for the first time in a year. Car and light truck sales in the USA were again weaker. Thus far in 2017, the Russian, Brazilian, Indian and Japanese car market grew the fastest while the European and Chinese markets expanded more moderately. For most of 2017 light vehicle sales in the USA have been slightly weaker than in 2016.

Worldwide Car Sales in 2017 (January to October)

New light passenger vehicle sales in various major regions of the world monitored by the VDA were as follows in October 2017 and during the first ten months of 2017:

Region Oct 2017 % Change Jan-Oct 2017 % Change
Europe (EU+EFTA) 1,208,000 5.9 13,234,600 3.8
Russia* 148,600 17.3 127,790 11.3
USA* 1,347,500 -1.4 14,148,300 -1.8
Japan 310,800 -1.2 3,723,400 7.2
Brazil* 196,900 27.1 1,773,000 9.7
India 279,800 -0.3 2,714,000 8.7
China 2,317,800 0.8 19,048,400 3.0
*Light vehicles
Source: VDA

Russia – Continued Strong Car Sales in October 2017

The Russian new car market expanded by 17.3% in October 2017 to 148,600 cars. October 2017 was the eighth consecutive month of higher car sales in Russia and the fifth of double-digit expansion.

During the first ten months of 2017, the Russian new light vehicle market grew by 11.3% to 1,277,900 cars – no other major market grew faster.

Brazil – Further Strong Car Sales in October 2017

The Brazilian car market grew by 27.1% in October 2017 to 196,900 cars – no other major car market grew faster in October. This was the sixth consecutive month of expansion of car sales in Brazil.

Thus far in 2017 the Brazilian new light vehicle market grew by 9.7% to 1,773,000 vehicles.

Europe – Stronger Car Sales in October 2017

New passenger vehicle registrations in the European Union (EU) and EFTA increased by 5.9% to 1,208,000 cars in October 2017. Car sales increased by 14% in France and Spain, 7% in Italy and 4% in Germany but were down 12% in the UK.

During the first ten months of 2017, the European new car market grew by a more moderate 3.8% to 13,234,600 cars.

China – Flat Car Sales in October 2017

Car sales in China were relatively flat in October 2017 with a small 0.8% increase to 2,317,800 cars. However, China comfortably remained the largest car market by far in the world. Thus far in 2017, the Chinese new car market grew by 3% to 19,048,400 cars.

India – Flat Car Sales in October 2017

After the monthly volume record set in September 2017, the Indian car market was only slightly weaker in October when sales contracted by 0.3% to 279,800 cars. During the first ten months of 2017 the Indian new car market grew by a strong 8.7% to 2,714,000 cars.

Japan – Weaker Car Sales in October 2017

New passenger vehicle registrations in Japan were down by 1.2% to 310,800 cars in October 2017. This was the first contraction in 12 months.

Thus far in 2017, the Japanese new car market grew by a strong 7.2% to 3,723,400 cars.

USA – Weaker Vehicle Sales in October 2017

New light vehicle sales in the USA contracted by 1.4% in October 2017 to 1,247,500 cars leaving September as the only growth month thus far this year. Passenger car sales contracted by 10% while light truck and SUV sales increased by 3% to take a new record 66% of the market (63% in October 2016).

During the period January to October 2017, the US light vehicle market contracted by 1.8% to 14,148,300 vehicles.