Car registrations in Europe declined in May, with minus signs in the three of the four main markets Italy, Germany and France, while they grew in Britain and Spain.

In the EU, Efta countries and Great Britain, registrations fell 2.6 percent year-on-year, stopping below a 1.1 million vehicles, according to Acea calculations.

Great Britain recorded a 1.7 percent increase, which compares with a 3 percentage point drop in EU countries and a -10.6 percent drop in Efta countries.

In the first five months of the year, however, registrations in the EU, Efta and Great Britain countries were up 4.6 percent overall.

The Stellantis group, which includes the Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Opel/Vauxhall, Citroen and Ds brands, among others, reported an 8.7 percent drop in May registrations year-on-year, although market share was up to 15.9 percent from 15.4 percent in April.

Registrations of cars with battery electrics also in the Eu-Efta-Uk area fell 10.8 percent last month compared to May 2023, stopping at 151,968 units.

In electric, France saw a 5.4 percent increase (23,892 battery-powered vehicles), while Italy and Germany saw declines of 18.3 percent (5,052 vehicles) and 30.6 percent (29,708 vehicles) respectively.

In the EU, market share is down to 12.5 percent from 13.8 percent last year, according to Acea data.

(Matteo Negri, editing Francesca Piscioneri)