PARIS (Reuters) - European car sales dropped 7.9% in June, led by bigger declines for Nissan (T:7201), Volvo and Fiat Chrysler (FCA) (MI:FCHA), according to industry data published on Wednesday.
Registrations fell to 1.49 million cars last month from 1.62 million a year earlier across the European Union and EFTA countries, the Brussels-based Association of European Carmakers said in a statement. Calendar effects resulted in two fewer sales days in most markets, accentuating the decline.
Registrations for the first half closed 3.1% lower, ACEA said. For European carmakers, weakening demand at home compounds the pressure from a sharper contraction in China and emerging markets that may yet bring more profit warnings.
Nissan's aging model lineup contributed to a 26.6% June sales slump while Volvo Cars, owned by China's Geely, saw deliveries tumble 21.7%.
Registrations also fell 13.5% last month at FCA, 10.1% at BMW (DE:BMWG), 9.6% at Volkswagen Group (DE:VOWG_p) and 8.2% for both Mercedes parent Daimler (DE:DAIGn) and France's PSA Group (PA:PEUP). The Peugeot maker's domestic rival Renault (PA:RENA) suffered less, posting a 3.9% decline.