New auto sales in the European Union fell by a record 76.3 percent year-on-year to 270,682 in April due to the coronavirus crisis, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reports.
Most EU car dealerships were closed throughout April as a result of anti-coronavirus measures.
“The first full month of COVID-19-related restrictions has led to the sharpest monthly drop in demand since the beginning of records,” the association said. Between January and April, EU car sales fell 38.5 percent year on year to 2.75 million.
The Czech Car Importers Association has previously said that sales of new passenger cars in the Czech Republic fell by 53 percent year-on-year to 10,679 vehicles in April. Italy saw the sharpest decline in the EU in April, with sales falling 97.6 percent to 4,279 cars.
Škoda Auto’s sales fell by 64.6 percent year-on-year in April in the EU to 20,007 vehicles. However, the brand’s share of the EU market rose to 7.4 percent from 4.9 percent a year ago, according to ACEA. The German carmaker BMW and the Swedish Volvo also recorded a smaller decline than the entire market.
ACEA said that in April, all EU member states showed a double-digit decline in the car market.