Passenger car market loses 20 percent in August

In August, a total of 251,100 passenger cars were newly registered in Germany. That was 20 percent down on August last year, which admittedly enjoyed a very high result owing to a special effect. In addition, August had one working day less in 2020. But the domestic market remains weak even after allowing for these factors. In the first eight months of this year, almost 1.8 million passenger cars were newly registered (-29 percent).

After orders from Germany showed year-on-year rises in June and July with customers making purchases postponed from the first two quarters, the August figure fell markedly – by 10 percent. In the first eight months of 2020, 21 percent fewer orders were recorded than in the same period last year. The picture with orders from abroad is more positive, with an 11 percent rise in August. But so far this year foreign incoming orders are still 17 percent down on 2019.

Only 203,100 passenger cars rolled off Germany’s production lines in August (-35 percent). This was partly due to the number of working days, and partly to summer shutdowns, more of which occurred in August this year. After eight months, accumulated production came to 2.0 million units (-36 percent). Exports also continue to be exceptionally weak. In August, 154,300 passenger cars were delivered to customers all over the world (-31 percent). In all 1.5 million vehicles have been exported since January (-36 percent).