SUV sales nosedrive in Spain
Spain was one of the first countries to make its car tax system to make it dependent on CO2 emission levels. This tax is not reflected in the lifecycle of the vehicle, as it's only paid at purchase time (it's called "impuesto de matriculación", which translates as "plate number tax"). We can now see the results of this emissions-based tax.
Overall, vehicle sales in Spain were up by 0.7 percent compared to February '07, although rent-a-car companies bought 81.5 percent more vehicles. The most dramatic change in sales can be found in the SUV market. Spaniards bought 21 percent fewer SUVs in February '08 than in February '07. SUV sales had been increasing more than any other segment during the previous years. German brands have obtained the worst results: Audi, Mercedes and Porsche sales dropped by 41.5, 21.7 and 42 percent compared to February '07. The best selling car in Spain is still the Renault Mégane (pictured above).
According to ANFAC, the Spanish association of car manufacturers, the reason for the downturn in SUV sales is due to Spain's slowing economy.
[Source: Autoblog en Español and El Mundo (h/t to Karl-Uwe for the tip)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 9:09PM (3/07/2008)
Go Spain! Show us ( the US ) the way.
A population of 45 million shames the US and the World.
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 9:38PM (3/07/2008)
and not just the US either...
these are the best results of any EU country as well... though presumably France, Italy and the UK are soon to follow with similar results....
The huge slump in German car sales was quite predictablw as new environmental taxes are phased in across Europe (except Germany)
Overall, car sales in Spain were up a stagnant 0.7% in February. This could well be due to a slowing economy. But SUV and German car sales dropping by 40% in both January and February should surely be put down to something else. It just so happens that Spain, like France, are supertaxing SUVs since January 1st 2008, which is when the 40% drops have started......
SUVs down 21% ? Under "matriculacion" SUV sales for Feb08 are down (22%, 48% and 32%) (small SUVs, medium SUVs, large SUVs) compared with Feb07. The combined Jan+Feb variation compared with Jan07+Feb07 is (33%,56%, 38%).
These results would have to make Spain the country in the EU with the best emissions curbing regulations. UK and Ireland also have hiked up the tax rates for SUVs, while the LCC is probably the best system in any city, but apparently in no other country are SUV sales dropping like in Spain. Bien hecho!!!
The UK is apparently set to announce new green car tax rewards:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86071abc-ebd1-11dc-9493-0000779fd2ac.html
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