Sales of passenger cars plummet by more than 20% in Spain

Passenger car sales in Spain are now further away from the million-unit target for the entire year set by the industry.

In the first ten months of 2021, the Spanish automotive sector has lost a third of sales compared to the same period in 2019, before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to fresh data released on Tuesday by the Spanish association of car manufacturers (ANFAC), in October new passenger car registrations fell by 20.5% year-on-year. The number of units sold was 59,044, which also represents a decrease of 37% compared to October 2019.

So far this year, that is, between January and October 2021, 706,998 units of passenger cars have been sold, 5.6% more than in the first ten months of 2020 but 33% less than in the same period of 2019.

In October, 10,459 new light commercial vehicles (vans) were registered, which is 37% less than in 2020.

Semiconductor shortage

Meanwhile, used car sales are skyrocketing

Anfac Communications Director Noemi Navas blamed this negative development on the global shortage of semiconductors (microchips) and the economic crisis, which has caused doubts among potential car buyers.

"The recovery of face-to-face work has led to an increase in private mobility, especially in large urban centers, showing that the car continues to be a desirable option for citizens. But, given the uncertainty, they opt for older and more polluting vehicles that meet their needs, but hurt climate goals,” she regretted.