The car crisis knows no end. After the decline in 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic, 2021 risks becoming the annus horribilis for the entire sector due to the lack of chips. The ACEA (European Association of Automobile Manufacturers) data referring to the month of November, with only 864,119 registrations in the EU, EFTA and UK markets, indicate a drop of 17.5% confirms the negative trend recorded in the last four months. November sales were the worst of the month since ACEA began tracking data in 1993.
The global shortage of semiconductors and other supply chain problems have dampened car deliveries globally, leaving great uncertainty even for 2022. If the whole market collapses by 17.5%, the only two brands capable of achieving positive results significant ones fly the Korean flag, with Hyundai able to get + 42% and Kia + 20%. The incredible result is linked to close ties with chip suppliers and planning capable of responding to production needs.
Volkswagen Group, -31%. Only Porsche is saved
The Volkswagen Group saw its registrations drop 31%, with VW brand sales down 38%, Audi down 30%, Skoda down 27% and Seat down 25%. Porsche limited the drop in sales to less than 1%, as the brand’s high-margin cars had priority for chips. The drop in sales is linked to the lack of chips, because the group’s order book is achieving excellent results but must be discounted by the absence of cars.
Stellantis Group, -21%
It is no better at Stellantis, the second largest group in Europe, with registrations down by 21%. Specifically, Jeep fell by 36%, Alfa Romeo by 35%, Fiat by 25% and also Opel / Vauxhall by 25%. Peugeot scores -20% and Citroen -7%.
Renault Group, -12%
The Renault Group was also bad, where registrations fell 12% overall with Renault down 21% while Dacia gained 5.7% and Alpine more than doubled sales to 265 vehicles.