No rebound for the auto market in 2021, after the 2020 crash caused by pandemic and lockdown. It should have been the year of recovery, but instead it was a complex period due to the shortage of semiconductors on the production lines and the uncertainties on the market, induced by Covid-19 and the transition to electric mobility. Two factors that have led many consumers to postpone the purchase choice to a phase of greater clarity. One million 457,952 cars were registered last year, 5.5% more than in 2020.
Aging effect on the car fleet
The advantage accumulated in the first six months of the year was gradually lost starting from July onwards, with the December figure closing at 86,679 units, 27.4% less than in December 2020. of 2021 with those of 2019, the year before the pandemic, the drop is heavy, equal to 23.9%. In essence, a quantum of the market has been lost for the second year in a row.
As noted by the Centro Studi Promotor directed by Gian Primo Quagliano, “this is a level far from the minimum necessary to ensure the regular replacement of our fleet (40 million cars). The consequence of this disastrous situation is a further aging of the cars that circulate on our roads with highly negative effects on both pollution and safety ».
Brand in difficulty, “low cost” in contrast
Brands are serving a difficult month and a disappointing year. Exceptions are some “low cost” companies such as Dacia and Dr, brands well positioned on the electric market such as Hunday and Mini (Daimler Group). If you look at the result for the entire year, the vast majority of brands grow by a few percentage points, with the exception of Alfa Romeo – the brand that scores the worst result over the course of the year -, Ford, Nissan, Seat and Renault.
In such a difficult context, sector operators, from producers to dealers, reiterate the total lack of measures for the sector in the Budget law passed a few days ago, despite the reassurances received by the Minister for Economic Development Giancarlo Giorgetti on the possibility that the game on the car may reopen in the coming weeks.