Not what offset the collapse of the Spain 28

Fifteen European manufacturers had not seen it. It must go back to 1993 to seeing a 7.8 last year. The vintage ends on a level of 14.7 million put vehicles in service, against just under 16 million a year earlier.

After a first half still manageable, glazed for a global settlement of sales of 2.8, automotive groups were made completely in the free then, in the third quarter ( 9.8) and especially the fourth ( 19.3). With the onset of the financial crisis and tensions on the credit market, the main difficulties indeed focused on the end of the year, with a drop from 25.8 in November to 17.8 in December. Leaving augurer a very difficult start of 2009.

Totally in the fog, manufacturers expect in general assumptions drop from 15 to 20 this year, during which a good part of their factories will turn empty. According to the Citigroup Bank, the cumulative financial results of European manufacturers will turn red in 2009, and virtually all of the players will have to forego pay a dividend to shareholders this year black as. Renault, the State grows to not pay its shareholders in respect of the results of 2008 ("Les Echos" from January 15), would be so imitated by competitors a year later.

PSA loses ground

By country, only four small markets of Western Europe posted growth on the whole of 2008: the Finland ( 11.2), Portugal ( 5.7), Belgium ( 2.1) and Switzerland ( 1). Not what offset the collapse of the Spain ( 28.1), Italy ( 13.4) and Britain ( 11.3). Supported by the system of the unemployed, just pass the cap of its first year, the French market resists well to its neighbours: only 0.7 decline. But by the beautiful part to small cars, sell promotions suddenly, some generalist brands accuse a decline in revenue per car sold, therefore their margins.

By motor groups, Volkswagen had draws with honours. Falling less than the market ( 4.4), the European leader, recently become number three world, gaining valuable market share, passing in a year of 19.8 to 20.6. The rise in the new Golf, current 2009 plan, could enable him to consolidate his positions. His immediate prosecution PSA lost instead of the land ( 9.1 in volume), its two brands Peugeot and Citroën is on the same trend in Europe.

Behind, the Group Ford ( 5.2), now claimed his British pole Jaguar-Land Rover, is better than GM Europe ( 13.9). And Renault, which should have begun to touch the fruits of the launch of its new models and its "low-cost Logan" range, hoped much better this year, closed on a decline of 6.9. Its market share remains stable, at 8.7 points.

Skid of the Asian

Ironically, the two German champions of the high-end are rather well out, with their subsidiaries of small cars: BMW limits its total decline to 3.5 with the help of Mini, practically stable, and Mercedes-Benz to 5.9, with Smart ( 7). Go to the Asian specialists from 4 4, such as Toyota, Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, they wrong more than the market.