Volkswagen Group, Fiat Chrysler and Renault led a 23.4 percent European car sales reduction in September, the major regional industry body stated on Wednesday, as automakers still suffer from the introduction of stricter new emissions tests.
Registrations dropped to 1.12 million cars in European Union and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries earlier month from 1.47 million in September 2017, Brussels-based ACEA stated.
Volkswagen Group sales dropped by 47.8 percent, Fiat Chrysler by 31.4 percent and Renault by 26.9 percent, data revealed. The French automaker’s alliance partner Nissan also had a 43.8 percent decrease in sales.
The new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test (WLTP) became necessary on September 1, forcing some automakers to stop deliveries of some models that had yet to be re-certified.
Volkswagen, Renault and Fiat Chrysler had led a sales surge in August, as automakers increased discounts and registrations of their own vehicles to be sold as almost new on the used car market.
